Does your partner need to make a change?
We put your safety and
wellbeing at the heart
of everything we do.
Relationships have ups and downs. Pressures build up and various stresses can have an impact on how people feel and behave. But that doesn’t mean your partner or ex-partner has the right to hurt or scare you, to call you names, to force you to do anything you don’t want to, or to stop you from doing the things you do want to do.
Whether it’s a current partner or ex-partner who’s treating you like this, and no matter what difficulties they may be going through, it’s not too late for them to make a change.
What is Make a Change?
Make a Change provides support for people who are concerned that they might be hurting, scaring or controlling their partner and who want help to stop. This service is currently running in Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland. The Lincolnshire, Trafford and Merseyside services are now closed.
First, we’ll have a chat to find out if Make a Change is a good fit for your partner or ex-partner. If it is, they will join our group programme (or in some cases work with us one-to-one) which helps people to understand relationship difficulties, take responsibility for their harmful behaviour, and make positive changes for themselves, their partners and/or ex-partners, and their children (if they have any).
If your partner or ex-partner decides to work with Make a Change, we’ll also make contact with you, to offer you separate confidential support.
It’s up to you if you want to take up that support. It’s there to help you look after your safety and wellbeing and consider what you need, and we can also give you updates on the programme that your partner or ex-partner is taking part in.
The service is completely free.
Please note that this is not an emergency service. If you need to speak to someone immediately you should call 999 or contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
How can Make a Change help my relationship?
If your partner decides that they want support to understand and change their behaviour, the programme will cover topics including:
• Healthy relationships • Understanding the links between our thoughts, feelings and behaviour
• Understanding arguments with loved ones • Intimacy • Break-ups
• Managing stress and self-care
If your current or ex-partner has children or stepchildren, we can help them to understand the effect that their behaviour can have on them, to learn parenting techniques, and to co-parent in a way that’s respectful and focussed on what’s best for their child.
“The support has been amazing. It’s the first time I’ve spoken to anyone about it… It’s really lifted a weight.”
— Partner supported by Make a Change
Request a call back for more information
Please only complete this form with your own details. Do not enter someone else’s information. If you are referring someone, please contact us first for guidance at makeachange@respect.org.uk. Please don’t use this form to report a crime. If it’s an emergency or you need immediate help, call 999.
Please note that our Make a Change behaviour change programme cannot accept referrals for individuals who are currently involved in ongoing criminal court proceedings related to their domestic abuse or violence, or whose children are currently subject of private law proceedings, or have been within the last 12 months. If any of these apply to you or the person you are wishing to refer, our delivery partners will be unable to progress the referral, in line with Respect accreditation standards.
If you are unsure whether this applies, or you need immediate advice or support, you can contact the Respect Phoneline for guidance and signposting:
Telephone: 0808 802 4040
Hours: Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm
Website: respectphoneline.org.uk
Webchat: Monday–Friday, 9am-10am
