I am Ellie and I am the very proud founding CEO at EdShift CIC.
Domestic abuse has a profound impact on my home community of Calderdale and is an issue very close to my heart. Being a child and adult survivor of domestic abuse makes me strive to ensure that EdShift continues to have an impact so we can make a lasting difference to the lives of the children we support. I know both personally and professionally that the costs of domestic abuse and violence are too high. As the leader of EdShift I witness from the frontline and strategically, the devastating impact domestic abuse has on victims and know all too well the resilience and strength it takes to begin the journey towards healing and recovery.
Prior to founding EdShift I gained experience in the education sector, working in alternative education. I completed my MA in Education and specialised in creative pedagogies, working with disengaged young people, and using the arts as a channel to empower them with alternatives to using violence.
I worked as Head of Drama at a Secure Training Centre, working with boys to reduce the chances of them entering the adult criminal justice system. I am proud of developing an OFSTED Outstanding drama department and inspiring young boys to go on and win the Koestler Scriptwriting Award.
In 2011 I developed an arts-based project in collaboration with New Wimbledon Theatre aimed at young boys living in inner city London.
I have also worked in complex mental health as a development manager.
Due to my own experiences of domestic violence, I was keen to empower and give voice to my story as a survivor and felt I accomplished this when I became the Project Manager of the Domestic Abuse Prevention Programme in 2015.
In 2018 I was invited to deliver a practitioner’s workshop as part of the RESPECT Conference at Amnesty International, facilitating a forum theatre workshop to convey the efficacy of using the arts as a transformative vehicle for change.
However, I will always remember facilitating one man’s final 1:1 and him saying, ‘Ellie, I’m 66, I won’t marry again because I am an abuser. Why is this not rolled out in schools?
I founded EdShift in 2019 and am overwhelmed with pride as to how far we have come but more than aware that this is more ground to cover.
My biggest achievement however, is having this immensely creative, compassionate, and pioneering team beside me on this journey.