Art Medicine by NINE RED Presents… (CIC)
Butterflies in Shades of Grey
A comprehensive support programme for direct and indirect victims of domestic and sexual violence, offering a holistic pathway towards healing, safety, empowerment and recovery.
Support that sees the whole person
Butterflies in Shades of Grey recognises the complex and lasting impact of trauma. The programme supports both direct and indirect victims of domestic and sexual violence through a multi-faceted approach to healing and empowerment.
This includes counselling, art therapy, advocacy, mentoring, personal development, training, sport-based support and community-centred pathways that help people move forward with greater confidence, safety and strength.
Unfold Your Wings
Begin with a confidential conversation in a safe and supportive environment.
Counselling & Therapy
At the heart of Butterflies in Shades of Grey is free, confidential one-to-one counselling, offering a safe space to explore experiences, emotions and recovery.
Art therapy provides a creative outlet for expression and healing, while sport-based support such as Squash It! helps build resilience, confidence and wellbeing.
Advocacy & Mentoring
Advocacy is a key part of the programme, helping victims access guidance, resources and support while strengthening confidence and personal development.
Through mentoring, workshops and supportive spaces, participants are supported to reclaim their voice, rebuild trust and move forward with greater resilience.
Services include the AVS Project, Be Heard, Beyond the Shadows, Squash It!, Be A Safe Ally and Women’s Listening Circles.
From the Beginning
For a Brighter, Safer Future
Beginning in 2001, survivors created a programme “For Us, By Us” in response to gaps in service provision and the need for trauma-informed support shaped by lived experience.
More than twenty years later, this Queen’s Award-winning programme offers a holistic package of emotional and practical support to men and women aged 13+ affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape, whether the harm is current or historic.
Butterflies in Shades of Grey offers immediate and free one-to-one counselling and art therapy in safe and secure surroundings.
Let Us Help
Be Heard
NINE RED Presents… (CIC) works in partnership with Bedfordshire Police to deliver the Be Heard campaign, supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence with provision that also addresses issues specific to the Caribbean community.
This strand builds on the long-standing trauma recovery work of the AVS Project and extends that work through community partnership, culturally aware engagement and access to wider Art Medicine support.
Programme Strands
The AVS Project
Where NINE RED began
The AVS Project provides free, immediate and confidential counselling in a location chosen by the client, alongside survivor and counsellor training and access to Art Medicine workshops across the wider Butterflies programme.
Squash It! & Be A Safe Ally
Youth support and mentoring
Squash It! supports young people through sport, mentoring and personal development, while Be A Safe Ally focuses on safety, self-expression and allyship through workshops and discussion.
Empowering Women & Girls into Employment
With Luton Town Football Club Community Trust
A partnership supporting women and girls affected by violence, discrimination and marginalisation through skill development, confidence-building and access to community support.
Be Heard
Community partnership and advocacy
Delivered in partnership with Bedfordshire Police, Be Heard helps support victims of domestic and sexual violence while building culturally aware, community-rooted engagement.
Beyond the Shadows
For those indirectly affected
Beyond the Shadows supports people indirectly affected by domestic and sexual violence, recognising the wider impact trauma has on families, friendships and communities.
Women’s Listening Circles
Safe spaces for listening and support
Award-winning listening circles co-hosted by NINE RED Presents… (CIC) and WoCiP, creating supportive space for women who may have been victims of crime or directly or indirectly affected by violence.
Support starts with a conversation
You do not have to carry this alone
If you would like to enquire about support, mentoring, consultation, training or one of the programme strands, we welcome you to get in touch.