The New Leaf team
New Leaf became a registered charity in 2013.
The vision of its founder and continuing volunteer.
Hasmita (Hasy) Reardon
Founder/Volunteer
Hasy volunteered for another domestic abuse charity where she not only supported clients for 7 years but was also a vital member of their board
of Trustees.
The valuable experience and knowledge that she gained throughout this time opened her eyes to a sector of women and children that were falling through the loopholes, by not meeting the criteria for the standard refuge accommodation. Thus, causing them to remain in an abusive relationship.
Being a successful woman in the world of property investment, Hasy decided to provide a property that fulfilled this need and has since gone on to provide vital respite accommodation for many individuals and families in Swale.
This innovative idea was the first of its kind in the UK and is just part of what makes the New Leaf Support Team unique.
Hasy now has as an amazing team that is expanding and growing with the charities needs and challenges. The team consists of Volunteers, Staff and a Board of Trustees.
Their immense experience in the field of Domestic Abuse and qualifications also include:
- Legal qualifications, family law and civil orders
- Housing legislation
- Benefit and Finances
- FGM and Immigration processes and laws
- Systematic Family Therapist
- Phoenix Programme trainers and facilitators
- And a vast array of practical skills to offer clients.
All of these are underpinned by a highly motivated and qualified support team, who obtain vital funding and donations to make our services possible.
Together we work as a team to offer the clients the highest quality of support and advice to break the chain of abuse, without judgement, or discrimination.
Assisting each client to turn over a New Leaf in their life.
Amanda Walker
Manager
Amanda Walker, I am the Manager of New Leaf Support, my previous job roles included, Domestic Abuse Specialist for the Family Drug and Alcohol Court, throughout Kent. Working with Victim Support in London, I was a Senior IDVA across the boroughs of Bromley/Sutton and Croydon. I worked at Home-Start Shepway for 15 years, as a project coordinator for a charity.
I am a fully trained Safe Lives IDVA and Service Manager, also trained in Child Sexual Exploitation, Health and Social Care, Adult and Child Protection, MARAC, DASH Risk Assessment, Crisis Intervention and training of Volunteers.
I have also volunteered for the Appropriate Adult Service Young Lives Foundation, this was supporting children and young adults in ensure effective outcomes to vulnerable and disadvantaged people whilst in Police custody. I also volunteered for Kent Police as a Special Constable, my duties included the full powers of arrest, progressing my work to joining the Police Marine Unit.
On a personal note. I am mother to three children, my sons are in the military servicing abroad and my daughter and her partner has given me two wonderful granddaughters. I have lived in several countries and moved back to the UK 20 years ago, but still enjoy exploring the world on holidays.
Forums attended by New Leaf Manager
- Voluntary & Community Subgroup
- Swale MARAC
- Swale Domestic Abuse Group
- Phoenix Collaborators Group
- County Facilitators Meeting
- Strengthening Referrals Networking
- Swale Social Services & Early Help Team Meetings
- Kent & Medway Partnership Domestic Abuse Strategy
Karen Waters
Project Coordinator/Yoga Therapist
I have worked within the field of Domestic Abuse for over 15 years, which included working within homelessness. I trained as a Yoga Therapist in 2018, so that I could share the positive effects of yoga with survivors of domestic abuse, in order to help them improve their wellbeing both physically and emotionally. My role includes organising a range of wellbeing project, and offering 1:1 and group Yoga Therapy.
Jo Frances
IDVA
I have worked and volunteered within the Swale community charity sector for 10 years, in both domestic abuse and mental health services. I am a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and offer one to one emotional and practical support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse regardless of their gender or identity. I am also a trained Phoenix Programme facilitator and work within this group setting to empower those experiencing domestic abuse to move forwards towards a happier and healthier future.
