From victim to survivor to thriver to influencer

Aneta Mackell is the Co-founder and Director of Opoka and the specialist domestic violence service for Polish women and children in the UK. In 2012, with the support of her husband, who is the CEO and founder of Chrysalis Supported Association, Aneta started Opoka.  Opoka is now an award winning first of a kind, Polish (bi-lingual) service in the UK that serves Polish women and where required children fleeing or impacted by the devastating impact of domestic violence. 

In 2015 Aneta Mackell, Opoka's founder qualified as an IDVA, ISVA & YPVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, and Young People Violence Advisor). Then, in 2019 as a result of being the first person to achieve completion of all 3 qualifications she proudly achieved the very first Safe Lives accredited UK Diploma in Tackling Domestic Violence and Abuse, Prevention and Early Intervention.  

Together with a group of highly specialised and qualified trained staff and volunteers, Aneta is able to provide specialist help, interventions, and emotional support to Polish women in Bristol and throughout the UK.  Over the years Opoka's team have managed to establish a wide variety of networking relationships with many voluntary and statutory agencies around the UK. 

Some words from Aneta

"I myself personally experienced and survived life threatening and enduring domestic violence, and abuse during my first marriage back in Poland (1990-2002).  After many years suffering the consequences of this abuse, I eventually found the courage and inner strength to find freedom from this, some 18 years ago.  Picking up the shattered remains of my life and my spirit I began my new life with my 4 children who were at that time 11, 9, 6 and 2 years of age.  Since then, although I would never had known this at the time, I have come a very long way indeed.  What I’ve achieved, and who I am now I owe it to my children, who every day have been, and still are the reason why I fought for a better tomorrow for them and for myself.  I owe a debt I can never repay to my current husband who always believed in me, helped me to believe in myself, supports me, and encourages me every day to reach for the impossible and to cherish all of me, my whole story and every part of my past, present and potential future self! 

I am completely devoted to my job and passionate about providing support to women and children who are trapped in abusive and violence relationships.  I would love to believe that I am the reason, and a source of hope for the women we are able to reach who still live in the shadow of violence, and who do not believe that there can be way out of it.  I want them to know even though the road is hard that escaping and freeing yourself from what seems like an impenetrable prison isn’t only possible but that the potential beyond this is a life free to self-define, dream, and go on without fear and to live life to the fullest and to thrive into the future without fear of violence or abuse. 

I want all women who are suffering and living in silence and fear, to know that a way out from violent and abusive relationships or marriage is possible.  I want them to know that the right kind of support is not only available but is accessible without risk to them or their current circumstances and that they can trust that they will not be left to make this journey alone.  I want them to know that we will accompany them on their way to freedom no matter how long this takes or how many times they try, I will ensure that we will walk with them, I want to give them faith and encouragement and to help them believe in themselves and a future that is full of exciting possibility free from threat, fear, violence, and intimidation!" 

This is my wish, my commitment and for OPOKA as a service provider my enduring legacy.   

With love, light, and the promise of our total commitment to supporting you every step of your journey"

Aneta Mackell