The first cohort of trainee forensic psychologists from the University of Bath have completed their placements on Swindon’s Society Without Abuse’s (SWA) specialist domestic abuse behaviour change programme, Open2Change, passing the baton to a new intake of students.
For the past year, MSc Forensic Psychology students Sophie Grimshaw and Nethmi Udugama Koralalage from the University of Bath have worked alongside colleagues at SWA’s innovative Open2Change programme, which is a specialist behaviour change programme supporting individuals aged 16+ who recognise harmful behaviours in relationships and want to make positive change.
Upon joining SWA, Sophie and Nethmi were given an intensive specialist training and induction programme, replicating what would be given to fully qualified new members of the Open2Change team. Under close supervision from experienced Behaviour Change Workers, they were given the opportunity to deliver one-to-one interventions for individuals who use harmful behaviours in their relationships. As they gained experience, they progressed to increasing levels of responsibility and ultimately moved on to holding their own supervised caseloads, giving them experience in direct practice that will be beneficial for their future careers.
Sophie said: “The year with SWA has been really, really good and I did a lot more than I thought I would do. It was beneficial to have my own case load and be working to help people change; it was very rewarding to reach the point with people where they reflect on their actions and realise they wanted to change their behaviour. I feel like I’ve made a difference and helped people and working on Open2Change has confirmed that this is what I want to do. Domestic abuse is still so prevalent but the world needs to know that there’s support out there.”
SWA’s Pilot Open2Change programme in Bath also benefitted from the placement as Nethmi worked alongside out Behaviour Change Worker, delivering the programme there.
With their year-long placement now at an end, SWA has welcomed the next trainee for 2026/27, Clara Pieltain.
“I have a real interest in women’s safety and violence against women and girls,” explained Clara. “And so I’m hoping to learn a lot over the next year and get hands-on experience understanding the reasons why people harm and their experiences and internal processing. After graduation I’d really like to work in areas like expert testimony and really work towards change and so I think working with SWA and Open2Change this year will help me develop a really good base and the skills I need.”
Kate Rowland, CEO of SWA, said: “Our Open2Change behaviour change programme is a crucial tool in breaking the cycle of abuse and changing attitudes. Our experienced Behaviour Change team have worked closely with Sophie and Nethmi over the last year to ensure they develop the skills and approaches needed to be able to give them a rewarding and useful placement, whilst supervising them to ensure they uphold the quality and professionalism that we would expect of any member of staff. Sophie and Nethmi have been such an integral part of the team and we have been incredibly impressed with their skill and professionalism. We’re confident Clara will be just as instrumental in changing lives for the better too.
“By partnering with the University of Bath to host these placements, we not only help to train the next generation of experts who can help end domestic abuse, but through working with a number of universities in the region, we also benefit from being able to access the latest research and approaches to ensure our Open2Change programme is as effective as possible.”
If you need advice for yourself or a friend relating to domestic abuse, call Swindon’s domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
To find out more about Open2Change and SWA visit www.societywithoutabuse.org.uk.
