Student receives award for ‘outstanding contribution’ to domestic abuse charity

A student from Wrexham Glyndŵr University has received an outstanding contribution award for her voluntary work with a domestic violence charity.

Jenni Louise Fowler, a third year student on the university’s BSc Psychology course, was given the award by Flintshire charity DASU (Domestic Abuse Safety Unit) at a recent awards ceremony

She has volunteered as a mentor with the Deeside based charity for the past two years, while also studying for her degree at Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

As part of her role Jenni speaks one on one and works with both male and female survivors of domestic abuse.

“The role involves crisis intervention and outreach,” explained Jenni.

“When you are working in crisis intervention, you are the first port of call – we speak to people as they get in touch and make sure they are speaking to the right departments, provide help with things like benefits and housing advice and generally just give them the help they need.

“Being a survivor of domestic violence myself, DASU inspired me so much to come to university. I felt I wanted to give something back – this was taking my past and turning it into a pathway to do something positive.”

The charity runs two refuges in North East Wales, one for women and one for men.

Jennie added that her degree has proved useful in her work with DASU: “My psychology course helps to explain people’s behaviour – for instance, why people might stay with their current partner.

“There’s a lot to take from the course, and being able to understand the underpinning of things with psychology is useful.

“The staff in the Psychology department are made up for me- they were absolutely delighted to hear I had won an award. Mandy has been so supportive and encouraging with my work and volunteering and has been very understanding about integrating it with my studies. Everyone has been very helpful.”

A DASU spokesperson said: “Jenni really deserves the award. She has given many hours of her time to support the work of DASU and is a valuable member of the team.

“We are delighted that she has chosen to use her personal experiences in such a positive way.”

Professor Mandy Robbins, Associate Head, School of Social and Life Sciences, added: “There is a real sense of community at Wrexham Glyndŵr University – so when someone like Jenni gets an award it is something for us all to celebrate.

“We believe that psychology is about real life and it is good to see students like Jenni applying their studies – and having their work recognised.”

More information about Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s BSc Psychology degree can be found here.