The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that in the year to March 2023 there were 2.1 million people over the age of 16 who had experienced domestic abuse – a statistic that speaks the vital need for support and prevention.

As part of our RSPH Member Spotlight series, we meet is Kirsty Bentley, a facilitator and lead trainer for the charity New Beginnings Peer Support, which helps survivors of domestic abuse, and the social enterprise Visionary Actions, which raises awareness of how to support those in the workplace who have disclosed that they have experienced it.

What areas of public health are you the most passionate about?

I am really passionate about supporting young people with things that have an impact on their mental health. As an adult, it is important that I can meet them where they are at rather than trying to get them to meet my understanding. Young people need to be able to talk to someone without judgement about the real day to day experiences they are having. As adults we know what it is like to be a teenager, but no adult today fully understands what it is like to be a teenager in a very social society, where so much is played out in social media. I believe that we can help to end violence against women and girls by educating our young people and having honest conversations with them.

I am also incredibly passionate about mental health and people having the resources they need to have good mental health and wellbeing. So, the thing I love the most about all of my work is actually working with people, understanding what is happening for them at that moment, and then supporting them to be the best version of themselves that they can be, and just finding peace and happiness with themselves.

Can you tell us about your current roles and where you work?

My workday has so much variety and two days are never the same. Working in organisations that embed trauma informed practice, and are client led, means that we constantly adapt to make sure our clients get the services they need. Part of my day I may be working in group settings or one-to-one with clients, developing and delivering courses for staff and volunteers, or I could be delivering a programme to young people about relationships, exploitation and all other subjects that are relevant to them.

At New Beginnings Peer Support, we support women and families who have experienced domestic abuse, supporting them to regain ownership of their lives. I lead on the delivery of the Own My Life course for women and the preventative Day Programme for teens, both boys and girls, aged 14+. Whilst working with Visionary Actions, my role is to provide training to corporate organisations which helps them to put domestic abuse champions in the workplace, change and implement policies that support someone who has experienced domestic abuse, and have an awareness of how they can really help someone who discloses domestic abuse.

Can you give us an overview of your career path?

My career path has seen me change industries a few times but has always included helping and supporting people. From leaving college I worked as a support worker and eventually led a team working with clients with complex dementia. I gained so many skills in these roles that are transferable to my work today: learning to work under pressure at a fast pace, whilst also caring for someone as though they are your only client. As well as working with elderly clients, I also worked at a secure hospital unit for men who needed support with their mental health and rehabilitation back into everyday life.

I then went on to gain my training and teaching qualifications whilst also working in the health and social care sector. I delivered training to support workers starting out in this sector to help them gain the qualifications they needed. I found this so rewarding as I felt that I could give something back to a sector that had been a huge part of my life and career so far. I then arrived at the age of 30 and decided that I wanted to achieve my dream of going to university. So, I signed up and spent the next four years achieving my Social Psychology and Counselling degree. This is something I am incredibly proud of, especially as my studies included the period we went into lockdown, and I also had two young children at home with me to support.

Whilst completing my degree, I came across the New Beginnings Peer Support charity and have worked with them since. I have also recently started my BACP therapeutic counselling qualifications, which will allow me to also offer counselling, further supporting people’s wellbeing and metal health.

How did you find out about RSPH and what do you enjoy most about your membership?

I came across RSPH through the MECC for Mental Health programme, which I was able to deliver to professionals as part of the pilot project. Since then, and having become an RSPH member, I love the access to training this membership offers as well as the connections to other projects and professionals through the RSPH. I think that everyone has a story to tell and especially love the members spotlights, learning about the fascinating and incredible people who work in public health and the work they do in supporting people.

What do you do to take care of your own health and wellbeing?

To support my own mental health and wellbeing, I really love a good podcast where I can just put on my headphones and listen whilst out and about. I also find that learning about something also really supports my wellbeing - I love to learn, especially if it is something I can read about. From being a child, I have always had my head in a book, so I love a good bookshop and escaping into the pages of stories.

Interested in becoming a member? Join RSPH and help us shape the future of public health.