Own My Life, which has already changed the lives of thousands of women subjected to abuse, has launched Irish materials in celebration of International Women’s Day with its founder, Natalie Collins in partnership with local charity, Teach Tearmainn.

The Own My Life course is creative, educational and has now been specifically developed with Irish context materials to help women who have been subjected to abuse or violence from a partner to regain ownership of their lives.

Natalie explains “abusers steal our joy”, leading her to develop Own My Life from her own experiences being subjected to abuse and incorporating decades of research and evidence, that puts fun, laughter and the strength of togetherness at the heart of the work with women.

Teach Tearmainn have been delivering the Own My Life course with life-changing success since May 2022. CEO of Teach Tearmainn Lorraine Rowan explains: Teach Tearmainn has delivered support groups to women in Kildare who have experienced domestic abuse for a number of years. Own My Life is an exceptional course, and our team has been taken aback by the positive impact this survivor support group has had on the women who have participated.

Now, women attending courses in Kildare will have materials which reflect their experiences in Ireland, including a comprehensive Irish learning journal.  The course covers all dynamics of domestic abuse, including economic, sexual, emotional and psychological. It includes domestic abuse education, literacy building on the psychology of trauma, the cycle of abuse and the most up-to-date information about male violence and entitlement, as well as coping mechanisms for co-parenting with an abuser.

Women who have attended the course say:

“Do it! It will be the best decision you make, absolutely mind-blowing.”

“I have started to live, not just exist. It’s fun and exciting.”

“It will change your life and liberate you.”

Natalie Collins said: “It is brilliant to partner with Teach Tearmainn to implement Own My Life with their great passion and skill to help transform women’s lives. They join many dedicated and determined practitioners who are delivering the course and fighting adversity on behalf of women up and down the country every single day.”

She continued: “To the women taking part in Own My Life courses, you are the reason we do this work and we are honoured to be part of your healing journey. In this week of International Women’s Day, we are delighted to have a story of hope and positivity. Abusers can try to destroy women, but the love and laughter Own My Life enables women to cultivate with one another can change everything. Women can take back ownership of their lives!”

Lorraine Rowan stated that “Teach Tearmainn were thrilled to welcome Own My Life Founder, Natalie Collins to Teach Tearmainn’s Outreach Centre in Naas on Monday 04^th March 2024 as part of our International Women’s Day celebrations”. Natalie met with women in Teach Tearmainn who had already or are currently participating in Own My Life Groups.

Any woman in County Kildare who may be interested in participating in an Own My Life course can contact Teach Tearmainn on 045-527584.