Who We Are - Finding Freedom from Abuse

Independent Domestic and sexual violence Advisors

Our Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisors (IDVA and ISVA) are specialist support workers who work with people who have experienced abuse, violence, rape and sexual assault, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police. We provide physical and emotional safety and help survivors to make informed choices about their future and build honest and open relationships in a safe space, to all, regardless of differences and choices.

Language and Translations

Our Support Workers have access to ‘Language Line’ – the 24/7 interpreting service which translates a wide range of languages.

Short history of Finding Freedom

Our charity was originally established in 1975 as the Andover Crisis and Support Centre, by two local magistrates who created a community resource, for local people in crisis or needing support. In 1989 the charity expanded to provide accommodation for women, and women with children who had been subjected to domestic abuse. And over the next few years we increased our refuge accommodation for families, alongside the expansion of our Outreach, Educational and Therapeutic Programmes, and Counselling services. In 2022 we rebranded to reflect the charity’s growth, and we offer a broader range of support services to people in the Test Valley area who experience, witness, or fear domestic and sexual violence or abuse.

Trustees

Sue Filmer – Chair of Trustees

Sue is Chair of the trustees, and has been a trustee since 2022. She brings with her a wealth of practical and commercial experience to lead the Trustee Board and support FFFA’s leadership team.
For the last 20 years of her career, Sue worked at a global business consulting firm, advising companies and nonprofit on workforce and HR strategies, and leading the implementation of organisational development programmes.

Aside from working with FFFA, Sue also volunteers with a number of local community groups.

Jerry Stokes – Trustee

Jerry is an executive coach, supporting leaders across a wide range of organisations in the charity, public and private sectors.

His career has included senior leadership roles in the charity and not-for-profit sector including CEO, Deputy CEO, MD and Operations Director for some leading charities. Jerry’s background was originally in education but for most of his career has focused on health and social care – specifically drug and alcohol treatment services, and later employment and training.

Jerry holds an OU Diploma in Professional Management and a Diploma in Addiction Studies. Jerry has a huge passion for all things people related; people management and organisational development have been his main areas of interest throughout his career.

Jerry is also a trustee for New Directions Support – a Learning Disability charity in Staffordshire where he lives. He has a very personal connection with FFFA as his career literally started there as a Community Service Volunteer back in 1985!

Jane Dawson – Trustee

Jane became a trustee in 2023.

She moved to Hampshire in 2019 to be nearer family, having spent nearly 30 years in North West England. She has always worked in arts and culture, and has managed theatres and community based arts organisations.

Jane has also had roles in local and regional government and currently works for Arts Council England, the national development agency and funding body for arts, museums and libraries.

While in the North West, Jane was a magistrate for 10 years, developing a particular interest in those who suffer abuse.

She is happy to bring together her past experiences to contribute to an area of provision to which she has long been committed.

Alexandra France – Trustee

Having grown up in the Test Valley area, Alexandra has strong links to the community.

With a life dedicated to service Alexandra sits as a magistrate out of county and has experienced the impact of Domestic Abuse and serious violence through her role. As such she is committed to giving positive and proactive support in this area to shift a change in culture for future generations.

As a Procurement & Supply Chain Director in a British multinational aerospace, defence and security business, she has developed a successful career in commercial and procurement leadership roles across both the public and private sector.

Alexandra is a keen Diversity and Inclusion advocate, she is incredibly passionate about driving the advancement of sustainability, diversity, social mobility & governance. In support of this work she mentors a cohort of Women in Business and attends a wide range of engagement events to speak on this.

Jacqui Baxter

Jacqui has recently become a trustee and is particularly passionate about improving knowledge and understanding regarding the emotional effects of domestic abuse for women, children and men.

Jacqui is a chartered surveyor providing strategic advice to the public and third sectors. She specialises in complex service lead development, estate optimisation projects and public private partnerships where social and financial benefits need to be balanced for multiple stakeholders.

Jacqui brings relevant professional property experience to the trustee board, having worked for large corporate advisory companies and held a position with delegated property powers within a local authority. This is combined with experience of navigating the children’s court system, the support available and the constraints of other agencies involved in a case.

Join our Board of Trustees

Are you interested in becoming a trustee and contributing your skills and expertise to Finding Freedom From Abuse? If so, our Chair of Trustees would like to speak with you. sue.filmer@findingfreedom.org.uk

We are a registered charity that is here to help survivors of domestic and sexual abuse move forward with their lives. Our aim is a life free from abusive relationships.