Chesterfield charity exhibition tells stories of domestic abuse survivors through art

The exhibition was being held by WORTH (Women on the Road to Healing), a Chesterfield-based charity which supports victims of domestic abuse, over the weekend.

Taking place at Springwell House on Newbold Road, it featured 14 powerful and inspiring pieces created during Art and Wellbeing sessions run by WORTH, which celebrates it’s fifth anniversary as a registered charity this weekend.

Other pieces on display included though-provoking poetry created during Writing and Wellbeing sessions which many clients say has helped give them their 'voice' back.

Robyn Riggans, founder of WORTH, said: “This is the first time we’ve done an exhibition and our clients have been working so hard.

"It’s traumatic, healing. We do it through projects using all these different vehicles, such as music and art.

"They end up with such amazing pieces and they get to a point where they’re ready to share their stories; they want to help others and want other people to understand what’s happening so we said why don’t we showcase it.

“We decided on the date as we thought it’d be a great way to celebrate our five years as a charity.”

She added: “Visitors to the exhibition expressed how moving, powerful and eye opening the exhibition was. It has started many conversations of hope.

"Thank you to everyone that attended, everyone that volunteered and to our Wellness practitioners for everything you do.

And a big thank you to all our clients who shared their stories, you are incredibly strong and brave women and it is an honor to walk alongside you on your healing journeys."

Robyn initially set up WORTH as a support group seven years ago following her own experiences of domestic abuse and the many women she came across in her own healing journey.

“I was in an abusive relationship for six years and so were all my friends, like it wasn’t an unusual thing,” she explained.

"I just thought it was ridiculous how there was no help out there for us. You get help from groups like Women’s Aid and refuges who do absolutely outstanding work, but there’s no long term aftercare and when you’re free from abuse, you’re not free.

"You still have all the wrong belief and the negativeness about yourself. You don’t function and then you don’t integrate into society well, then you’re on antidepressants – it’s just a whole mix of stuff.

"I knew there needed to be something for the long term that helped with the healing.”

Since registering the group as a charity in 2017, Robyn and the team have continued to grow and now provide a host of support and wellbeing groups, as well as training and awareness for community groups, and support for children and young people affected by domestic abuse.

For more information or to support the charity, which is currently fundraising to rent the room at Springwell House on a more permanent basis, visit www.worth-charity.co.uk/.

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