University of Bath trainees complete year with Swindon's Society Without Abuse

Swindon24 reported on Saturday 11 July 2026 that Society Without Abuse (SWA), the Swindon domestic abuse charity, had marked the end of a year-long placement for two MSc Forensic Psychology students from the University of Bath, Sophie Grimshaw and Nethmi Udugama Koralalage.

What did the students do?

They worked with the charity's Open2Change team. Open2Change is a behaviour change programme for people aged 16 and over who recognise that their behaviour in relationships is harmful and are committed to changing it. Its aim is to stop domestic abuse from escalating.

The students went through the same induction and specialist training as new staff. By the end of the year both were managing supervised caseloads and running one-to-one sessions, working alongside qualified behaviour change workers. Ms Udugama Koralalage also supported the charity's pilot Open2Change programme in Bath, as SWA expands beyond Wiltshire.

Ms Grimshaw said: "Domestic abuse is still so prevalent but the world needs to know that there's support out there."

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."

What happens next?

Clara Pieltain joined SWA as the University of Bath trainee for the 2026/27 academic year. The charity said the partnership with the university keeps it in touch with the latest research, so the programme can keep developing.

Swindo's support groups guide lists domestic abuse services in Swindon and how to contact them.

Source: Swindon24.

More from Swindo: Support groups in Swindon.