“OML has really helped me a lot”
“OML has really helped me a lot, as to actually understand that it wasn’t my fault. The ladies in the group are lovely, open and great for understanding any situations. I will miss this weekly group.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“Hearing others share has helped me share myself.”
“OML has been great to have somewhere to touch base and have people to share similar experiences with especially around court dates. The girls have been great. Hearing others share has helped me share myself. Overall it has been a really good experience.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“Support and understanding”
“Lizzie all I can say is thank you so much for all your support and understanding. You are such an amazing lady. You are so empathetic and kind and it was a pleasure to meet you.” “Thank you for your wisdom and support it has been invaluable.” “Great person and an inspiration.” OML Arklow, 2025
Welcoming and made me feel relaxed
“Lizzie is great. She was so welcoming at the start and made me feel relaxed.” “Thank you for doing this work and for caring. Thank you for your tears in the one of the sessions when feeling what we go through.” OML Arklow, 2025
So kind and compassionate
“Lizzie is a lovely lady and an inspiration.” “Thank you for being so kind and compassionate and for always getting us back on track.” OML Arklow, 2025
“Strong assertiveness and protection for abused women”
“Thank you for doing this work and helping. For bringing humour into this but also strong assertiveness and protection for abused women. For generously sharing your knowledge.” OML Arklow, 2025
“I have always felt seen by you even without words”
“Thank you for your kindness and gentle approach to the group. I have always felt seen by you even without words.” OML Arklow, 2025
“She was my strength when I had none myself”
“Sam has been truly amazing throughout, she was my strength when I had none myself. Inspirational. Your kindness and understanding along with your sense of humour and smile has gotten me through some difficult weeks. Thank you for everything.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“Support and advice”
“Hi Sam, it was so lovely meeting you again. Thank you so much for all your support and advice. You are strong and amazing.” OML Arklow, 2025.
Helpful and kind!
Sam was “very helpful, anytime always on the phone.” “Thank you for your help and your kindness. Wouldn’t be able to do it without you!” OML Arklow, 2025.
“OML has been such an eye opener”.
“OML has been such an eye opener. It has helped me come to terms of what I went through and have the strength to talk about it. Its also made me realise the cycle of abuse and how important safety plans are. We shared a lot of love, laughter and tears.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“I’m delighted to meet with such strong ladies”
“OML course has not been easy, but I’m delighted to meet with such strong ladies and give support within the group.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“Insight and strength that I have never felt or known before.”
“Own My Life has not always been an easy journey, but it has given me insight and strength that I have never felt or known before. I have met a wonderful group of women and I am thankful for knowing each of them and for their support.” OML Arklow, 2025
Exceptionally attentive facillitator
“The facilitator was exceptionally attentive. If it wasn’t for her knowledge and experience, I probably wouldn’t have joined the course. She was very prepared to recognise the situation I was going through and offering support.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“The abuse was not my responsibility”
“OML has given me a lot of support going through my situation and court proceedings. I am able to talk better about domestic abuse and know that the abuse was not my responsibility. I’m deeply touched by the strength of the women in the group.” OML Arklow, 2025.
Exceptionally attentive facilitator
“The facilitator was exceptionally attentive. If it wasn’t for her knowledge and experience, I probably wouldn’t have joined the course. She was very prepared to recognise the situation I was going through and offering support.”
“Confronting yet rewarding”
“OML has been the most confronting yet rewarding course I have ever done. I was still in a fog of confusion when I started but it has helped me to understand, rebuild and start to find my way back to myself.” OML Arklow, 2025.
“A life-changing experience”
“The facilitators created a safe and welcoming space that allowed us to open up about our experiences, which was crucial for our healing. At first, it was overwhelming to feel everyone’s pain, but over time, I saw incredible resilience and joy emerge, which was deeply inspiring. The guided discussions were incredibly effective in helping us process our experiences and build trust with one another. The sessions helped us form a tight-knit community. We’ve grown so close that we’re eager to continue supporting each other beyond the program. Thank you for creating this life-changing experience. Despite our struggles, these sessions gave us hope, strength and a sense of sisterhood.” OML Wicklow, 2025.
“How to get back your power and deal with traumas”
“This course is the best thing that I have done. It is so helpful to understand why you allowed someone to treat you the way they did and how to get back your power and how to deal with traumas. The best support that you can get when you feel like the whole world is against you is this group!” OML Wicklow, 2025.
“This was an inspirational experience for me”
“I truly loved this course! It was daunting in the beginning, but by the end, I had gained new friends, strength, courage, and a deeper understanding of how supportive the ladies at ANU are. The support I received was unbelievable. We shared a lot of tears, but we also laughed a lot. I’ve learned that domestic abuse goes far beyond just physical violence, and that if you’re strong enough, you can eventually weather the storm and see the sunshine. Huge thanks to Siobhan and Lizzie. This was an inspirational experience for me.” OML Wicklow, 2025.
“This course is the best thing I have done.”
“This course is the best thing I have done. It is so helpful to understand why you allowed someone to treat you the way they did and how to get back your power and how to deal with traumas. The best support that you can get when you feel like the whole world is against you is this group!” OML Wicklow, 2025.
“I feel like I can teach something to my daughter.”
OML Bray, 2025.
“More optimistic.”
OML Bray, 2025.
“I’ve discovered I’m not as numb as I thought I was.”
OML Bray, 2025.
“We built this together.”
OML Bray, 2025.
“Strength to carry on.”
“Learning not to doubt myself, to be sure of myself. The course has given me the strength to carry on.” OML Bray, 2025.
“One of the most important things I’ve ever done.”
“The Own My Life Programme has been one of the most important things I’ve ever done.” OML Bray, 2025.
“We are a sisterhood!”
“This course was a hugely positive experience. It was informative and eye-opening. It helped me recognise what I had been through and to recognise the abuse. The group was diverse and each of us had so much to offer, each at different stages. I felt safe. We are a sisterhood!” OML Bray, 2025.
Permission to own my past
“I blocked so much from my head. That was how I coped. This course has given me permission to own it.” OML Bray, 2025.
“I no longer feel isolated or ashamed”
“The course, the facilitators and the group have been such a huge support to me. I no longer feel isolated or ashamed of my situation. I feel brave and seen, and like I have the strength to preserve and come out the other side of this intact.” OML Bray, 2025.
Recovering my independence
“This course made me realise I could lead a different life. There is nothing wrong in feeling like you are broken at times, you just need the right tools to heal. I feel like I recovered the independence to live my life now.” OML Bray, 2025.
Feeling excited about the future
“Being in this course was a way where I could really be myself and to feel excited about the future. There is still a lot of work to do but I know I will be able to do it I’m grateful to meet all the people here.” OML Bray, 2025.
“It helped me realise it wasn’t my fault”
“This course was difficult at times because it forced me to look at things the way they truly are. I WAS experiencing abuse. At the same time, it really helped me realise that it wasn’t my fault. It challenged the way I viewed myself, society and even my abuser and I will always be grateful for this I want to pass on this information to empower my daughters someday.” OML Bray, 2025.
