Swindon domestic abuse charity Society Without Abuse (SWA) has marked the completion of a year-long placement programme involving two University of Bath forensic psychology students.
Sophie Grimshaw and Nethmi Udugama Koralalage spent the past academic year working with SWA’s Open2Change team, a specialist behaviour change programme supporting people who want to address harmful behaviour in their relationships.
The placements form part of a partnership between SWA and the University of Bath, giving MSc Forensic Psychology students practical experience alongside qualified Behaviour Change Workers.
After completing the same induction and specialist training as new members of staff, the students gradually took on more responsibility throughout the year. By the end of their placements, both were managing supervised caseloads and delivering one-to-one interventions for people aged 16 and over.
Open2Change works with people who acknowledge their behaviour is causing harm and who are committed to making lasting changes, with the aim of preventing domestic abuse from escalating.
Reflecting on the placement, Sophie Grimshaw said:
“The year with SWA has been really, really good and I did a lot more than I thought I would do. It was beneficial to have my own caseload and be working to help people change; it was very rewarding to reach the point with people where they reflect on their actions and realise they wanted to change their behaviour.
“I feel like I’ve made a difference and helped people and working on Open2Change has confirmed that this is what I want to do. Domestic abuse is still so prevalent but the world needs to know that there’s support out there.”
Alongside her work in Swindon, Nethmi Udugama Koralalage also supported SWA’s pilot Open2Change programme in Bath as the charity expands the service beyond Wiltshire.
With the first placements now complete, Clara Pieltain has joined SWA as the latest University of Bath trainee for the 2026/27 academic year.
Clara Pieltain said:
“I have a real interest in women’s safety and violence against women and girls, and so I’m hoping to learn a lot over the next year and get hands-on experience understanding the reasons why people harm and their experiences and internal processing.
“After graduation I’d really like to work in areas like expert testimony and really work towards change and so I think working with SWA and Open2Change this year will help me develop a really good base and the skills I need.”
Kate Rowland, Chief Executive of SWA, said:
“Our Open2Change behaviour change programme is a crucial tool in breaking the cycle of abuse and changing attitudes.
“Our experienced Behaviour Change team have worked closely with Sophie and Nethmi over the last year to ensure they develop the skills and approaches needed to give them a rewarding and useful placement, while maintaining the high standards we expect from every member of staff.
“Sophie and Nethmi have become an integral part of the team and we have been incredibly impressed with their skill and professionalism. We’re confident Clara will be just as instrumental in changing lives for the better.
“By partnering with the University of Bath to host these placements, we not only help train the next generation of specialists working to end domestic abuse, but also benefit from access to the latest research and evidence-based approaches, helping ensure our Open2Change programme continues to evolve and remain as effective as possible.”
SWA said the partnership reflects the growing importance of specialist behaviour change programmes alongside support services for victims, helping to reduce domestic abuse through both prevention and intervention.
Anyone affected by domestic abuse, or concerned about someone they know, can contact SWA’s confidential domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610 for advice and support.
