Doncaster Mind

One of our long-standing partnerships is with Doncaster MIND, which hosts AVP workshops for clients with mental health needs.

"Doncaster MIND as an organisation has benefitted tremendously from the partnership in terms of our enhanced reputation locally as the only provider of effective conflict resolution. " Jackie Lewis, Director... More »

Engage for Change, Newcastle

We worked with community groups in the East End of Newcastle, training members to deliver mini-sessions on nonviolence with local young people.

"Engage for Change in Newcastle has valued working with AVP because it has taken time and gained the trust of the people in the community. In a very difficult and sensitive area of our lives they have very successfully engaged with a substantial number of us to look for and work for change in our relationships... More »

Catherine's story

After a violent incident, Catherine chose to help solve social issues around her. She supports AVP with her professional skills.

I became involved with AVP about three or four years ago and support the organisation with its communications and outreach work. My journey to AVP began after I was a victim of violence when my local shop was held up at gunpoint while I was in there... More »

David's story

David is the Director of AVP Britain, and supports the growing work of our volunteer facilitators.

"As AVP's Director I feel like a wildlife gardener - I try to make sure AVP is watered with funds and that our volunteers have what they need to run our workshops well. I'm a volunteer facilitator myself so sometimes I'm also helping with the work programme... More »

Jennifer's story

As a facilitator, Jennifer started by working on her own issues, and now loves seeing the changes in herself and others.

"I became involved with AVP in 2002. I had just started working in prisons, and felt that it would be useful if I trained as a facilitator... More »

Roger's story

As a prison inmate, Roger found that AVP offered him a turning point, and helped him become a better person.

"Aggression being the biggest make up of my personality, somewhere along the line it had to change. Having completed seven anger management courses, it never seemed to work as there is always a one way answer... More »

Karen's story

Struggling with handling intense emotions, Karen found AVP workshops helped her a lot. She has now trained as a facilitator.

"The switch in my head had been pushed. The switch that reads above it, ‘Violence, Warning, Do not touch!’  Too late though, my switch had been flicked and a chain of violent behaviour began... More »

Rebecca's story

Attending AVP workshops have improved Rebecca's confidence, and helped her stand up for herself.

"My sister recommended AVP to me.   She had come across it through her charity work with the Quakers and was a facilitator... More »

The Governor's story

Jon Parkin is a former Governor of HMP Wymott, and says that AVP has been a major contributor to the success of the prison.

“I have seen a real change in many of the men who have undertaken the project. It seems to give them better understanding of self and an ability to help other people deal with issues and problems... More »

video about AVP in prisons

Information about AVP's work at HMP Grendon, and the thoughts of the Governor at the time.

"After an AVP workshop prisoners are enthusiastic about skills and the experience of fellowship.   They realise they have the capacity to manage situations much better than they thought in the past... More »