Leaving an abusive relationship takes incredible strength. If you’re a survivor of domestic abuse, you’ve already shown bravery and resilience. Now, you may be thinking about what comes next. For many survivors, gaining qualifications and going back to study is a way to rebuild confidence, gain independence, and create new opportunities for the future.
This blog is here to offer support and guidance if you’re considering returning to education. Whether you left school years ago, started a course but had to leave, or never had the chance to study in the first place, it’s never too late to learn.
Why Go Back to Studying?
Studying can help you:
- Grow your confidence and sense of self-worth
- Open the door to new career opportunities
- Meet new people and build a support network
- Gain control over your future
Education can be a powerful part of healing. It’s not just about books or exams—it’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable, strong, and moving forward. And you are! Here at Juno we believe that, and we want you to believe it too.
Start Small and Go at Your Own Pace
You don’t need to jump straight into a full-time course or university degree. Many survivors find it helpful to start with something small, like:
- An online course
- An adult education class at a local college
- A short course in something practical, like IT skills or English
There are lots of free or low-cost options available. You can also study part-time or in the evenings, depending on what fits around your life.
Remember, it’s OK to take things step by step. You’ve already come a long way—there’s no need to rush.
Finding the Right Course
Think about what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what kind of job you might like in the future. You might want to:
- Get basic skills in maths, English, or computers
- Work towards GCSEs or A Levels
- Train for a specific job, like nursing, teaching assistant work, or accounting.
Talk to your local college or adult education service. They’ll help you find a course that fits your needs. In Nottinghamshire, Inspire Culture, which is run by Notts libraries, offer a free service to help people back to work or access further training. You can talk through options with their job advisors for free. Details are here:
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/help-into-training-and-employment
You can also look online for free learning platforms like:
- OpenLearn (by the Open University) – https://university.open.ac.uk/open-educational-resources/openlearn
- FutureLearn – https://www.futurelearn.com/
Financial Help Is Available
Worried about money? There are grants, bursaries, and other financial support available for adult learners. If you’re on a low income or receiving benefits, you may be able to study for free or get help with travel, childcare, or equipment.
If you have children, you might also get help with childcare through schemes like the Childcare Grant or Care to Learn.
The Childcare Grant is for a parent in full-time education who has children under 15 or under 17 if they have special educational needs:
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant
Care to Learn is for a parent under 20 with childcare needs who want to return to study:
https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn
Some charities and organisations also offer support for survivors of abuse who want to return to education.
Building Confidence
It’s normal to feel nervous about going back to study—especially if your confidence has been knocked down in the past. You might worry you’re not “clever enough”, that it’s “too late”, or that others will judge you. But you are not alone. Many survivors feel this way at first.
Give yourself credit for even thinking about this step. Celebrate small wins, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Tutors, support workers, and classmates can all offer encouragement. You are allowed to take up space and invest in yourself.
Telling Your Story (Or Not)
You don’t have to share your past with anyone if you don’t want to. But if you do feel safe to talk about your experiences, you might find support from your tutor, student support services, or a women’s organisation. We have a blog about sharing your story so have a read and consider your options, for now or in the future:
https://junowomensaid.org.uk/your-voice-matters-sharing-your-story-to-help-others/
Some colleges and universities have wellbeing teams and counsellors who understand trauma and can help you manage stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions while studying. Don’t be shy about asking for this: it’s a great opportunity to get help for free and that’s really a huge benefit to studying.
Final Thoughts
Going back to education after experiencing domestic abuse is a brave and hopeful step. You are not defined by what you’ve been through. Every time you show up for yourself—whether that’s reading a chapter, logging into a class, or just thinking about applying—you are moving forward.
Believe in your ability to learn, grow, and create the life you deserve. Education is not just about qualifications—it’s about discovering your own strength and building a future where you are safe, empowered, and in control.
You’ve already done the hardest part—now it’s time to invest in yourself.
We’re Here to Help
If you need support, we’re always here to listen. Many of the women on our helpline are survivors themselves, and every member of our team is understanding, compassionate, and non-judgemental. Whether you just need someone to talk to or want help finding your next step, you are not alone.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out. You deserve support—and you deserve to thrive.
Juno Help
Calls to our helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills. There is no pressure and everything is confidential.
Helpline: 0808 800 0340
Sometimes our helpline is busy and you might not get through the first time, so please try again. We will always call you back if you leave a message stating it is safe to do so and if you leave us a safe contact number in your message.
If you are hearing impaired, text “Relay/NGT” to 18001 0808 800 0340. This option is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can also email us on [email protected] 9 am – 9 pm.
Please note, we may not be able to respond to emails straight away, but will try to reply within 24 hours.
National Help
If you’re further afield, you could contact other charities like Women’s Aid, who have instant messaging and email contact on their website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) also provide confidential support. They can help you make a safety plan, find safe housing, and access legal protections.
The deaf health charity Signhealth also runs a domestic abuse support service, DeafHope, using British Sign Language (BSL).
The Survivor’s Trust (for sexual abuse and assault support) – www.thesurvivorstrust.org