Reviews & Testimonials
Housing Officer, Phoenix Community Housing
July 2024
"Bridie is such an inspirational trainer. Bridie delivered a very hard hitting subject so very well, getting the message across and not shying away from what a hard hitting topic this is. But at the same time, managed to deliver it in a friendly and approachable manner, with well thought out and appropriate humour, which was well received as it helped to balance the emotional and sometimes shocking nature of what we saw and heard.
Bridie is a natural for this training and her knowledge and experience, not least being a former Police Officer, really aided in her brilliant delivery of the subject. To keep us all so engaged for 4 hrs, especially on such a tough and emotional topic, was testament to Bridie's skill and talent in delivering this training. Many thanks Bridie and keep up the superb work you are doing. I for one am glad to know i can call on your expertise if needed and feel far more confident in being able to help a victim in the future."
Head of Services, 'I Choose Freedom' (Refuge)
May 2022
"Bridie recently trained our staff team in Homicide Prevention. Bridie has a huge wealth of knowledge in the Domestic Abuse sector. Bridie made the training relevant and fully relatable to the work we do. The team were left feeling encouraged and inspired. Even staff who have been in this role a long time learnt something new. Bridie has continued to support the team following the completion of the training with further useful advice and updated knowledge. I cannot recommend Bridie more, you will not be disappointed."
Michelle Blunsom MBE, CEO at ESDAS
February 2021
"I was lucky enough to work with Bridie during her time with Surrey Police as Force Advisor for Domestic Abuse and Stalking. Bridie's compassion, commitment and professionalism is unrivalled. She has the ability to listen to varying viewpoints and identify best practice in order to help others achieve more for survivors of abuse. Since leaving the police she has provided specialist training to our Outreach and volunteer teams. Not only that but she remains a source of valuable advice and guidance which we have benefited from particularly throughout the pandemic. I couldn't recommend Bridie enough both as a policing and domestic abuse/stalking specialist."
Lisa Herrington, Head of Policy & Commissioning at Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey
August 2020
"Bridie increases the power within individuals to improve the lives of others through sharing her expertise, knowledge and understanding of public safety. I’ve witnessed her training and engagement of audiences in tough subject matter with both empathy and directness. She is amazingly collaborative, bringing together experts who can help show those learning the different dimensions of a problem and how, by working together, they can overcome any challenge. The simple fact is, the world is a better place because of the change Bridie has led."
Fiona Bowman, DA Survivor & Experienced FM Consultant
June 2020
"Over the many years I have known and worked with Bridie her professionalism, depth of knowledge of DA and her passionate wish to change lives and change futures have made her a force to be reckoned with. When I first encountered her, she was Force Lead for DA at Surrey Police and now as Founder of “Better Lives” her astuteness and instinctive ability to identify and bring solutions to resolve complex DA and Stalking situations will give her clients the best possible outcomes either through consultancy or through the training she can deliver. A shining star in the sector!"
Colleague - Surrey Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) / Domestic Homicide Review Consultancy
June 2020
"Bridie is an inspirational trainer, whose passionate delivery regarding domestic abuse and safeguarding in all its aspects, motivated me to become a DA mentor and deliver Domestic Homicide Reviews. Her in-depth knowledge and lightness of touch help make a dark subject compelling to listen to."
2nd Line Manager - Surrey Police Public Protection Strategic Manager
April 2020
"As you are about to move on from Surrey Police, I wanted to take some time to let you know how I have personally felt about the time I have worked with you and known you.
I have many memories surrounding your significant contribution to policing and, in particular, your total commitment to protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, who, for a myriad of reasons do not have a voice at certain points in their lives. The impact you will have had for so many victims and survivors is a legacy you should be proud of. They will all be richer for having experienced your generosity of spirit.
I know that your immediate team have held you, and still hold you in the highest esteem. I feel sure that you will go on to achieve more great things and reach the hearts and minds of many people you meet on your onward journey."
John Trott, Director, Consultant and Trainer at AbuseFreeLife
September 2020
"I have had the privilege of working with Bridie within the Domestic Abuse and Stalking sector over the past few years either when she worked as the Force DA portfolio holder for Surrey Police or as an Associate Trainer for SafeLives. Bridie has a way of being which is grounded in her values of authenticity, clarity and wisdom whilst at the same time using her passion and motivation to help other professionals or victims and survivors of domestic abuse and stalking. She is so good in fact that I asked her to be an Associate for me at AbuseFreeLife. I look forward to our continued working relationship."
Officer from Dorset Police
May 2021
"I recently attended a DA matters course delivered by Bridie Anderson and her colleagues from the SafeLives team.
Bridie’s presentation was exceptional. It is clear she has extensive knowledge of domestic abuse and risk management from her work across the public and private sector.
She was able not just to engage officers of varying levels of experience through her service as a PC but encourage a depth of understanding of the victim’s journey which promotes empathy and emotional intelligence in crisis situations where everything may not be as it initially seems.
Bridie was also able to explain all the means available to police officers to help victims of controlling and coercive relationships and most importantly how and when to use them to best safeguard the victim.
The training package is delivered with such enthusiasm and passion by Bridie that the audience was captivated throughout. All I have heard since from colleagues who attended her course is positive feedback and many officers, including myself are signing up for additional domestic abuse champions training."
Mark Preston, Resourcing & User Engagement Manager at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
October 2020
"I knew Bridie serving together in the police. It is rare to come across an individual that combines both absolute passion and a level of knowledge that was second to none. Her work ethic was simply outstanding. I could not recommend Bridie highly enough."
Surrey Police Member Nominating Bridie for 'Surrey Star'
November 2018
"Bridie is the Force domestic abuse advisor. A more passionate, dedicated individual I have yet to meet in my 17 years of policing. The work Bridie puts in, her knowledge of her subject, her commitment to victims of domestic abuse, and her drive to assist her colleagues in getting better at dealing with DA cases is exceptional. I would not be surprised if Bridie's work has not lead to the life of at least one DA victim being saved - she, and the work she does, is that impactive."
Surrey Police Member Nominating Bridie for 'Surrey Star'
November 2018
"Over the last 6 years PC Bridie Anderson has built up expert knowledge and understanding of the DA Portfolio which has seen hundreds of Police Officers/staff and partner agencies being trained in this complex crime area. Bridie has worked tirelessly to introduce over 100 DA and Stalking Champions supported by CPD [continuous professional development] days, worked with the Hart bothers [CoCoAwareness] (whose mother and sister were murdered) to raise awareness of Controlling-Coercive-Behaviour, written policy and single-handedly led the White Ribbon Campaign to End Violence towards Women and Girls in 2017.
It is unquantifiable to say just how many individual survivors and their children Bridie has indirectly saved as a result of her work. Her endless drive to improve our service delivery is nothing short of outstanding and she should be recognised for her dedication to public service, leadership and tireless commitment to supporting survivors of abuse."
Surrey Police Member Nominating Bridie for 'Surrey Star'
November 2018
"As police officers it is instilled in us to save life and limb for the public. But who protects us? Who steps in when our home is no longer a safe place? Who gives us the tools to protect our team and family? Bridie Anderson does.
Bridie works tirelessly and with little recognition of how crucial she is in the force. She trains officers and staff in all aspects of public protection and she single-handedly orchestrated and manages the 'DA Mentors' and 'Stalking SPOCs' in the force. Bridie is passionate, caring, awe inspiring, a leader in her field, adored by everyone and incredibly driven to make Surrey Police the leading force in tackling domestic abuse nationwide. She works beyond her allocated hours juggling a variety of hats and is never afraid to fight for the vulnerable both in the Force and out. I wouldn't be here without her."
DC Viran Wiltshire - Metropolitan Police Service
November 2019
Bridie was frequently sought out to share her expertise nationally whilst working as Force Advisor. One such example is an acknowledgement of her key support within the MPS' Domestic Abuse Employee Policy - published here: metropolitan-police/employee-domestic-abuse-policy .The Policy Author writes on Page 3:
"We would like to acknowledge the support of Surrey Police who gave us generous access to their policy on Domestic Abuse, and in particular, PC Bridie Anderson, who allowed us to consult with her at length."
Anon - Surrey/Sussex Police Officer
March 2021
"I have no doubt that Bridie Anderson has saved countless numbers of lives; both directly by working with victims in various roles; and indirectly through her invaluable teaching, guidance and innovative approaches. I do not make this claim lightly and can say with all certainty that the impact that Bridie has had within the field of safeguarding is unparalleled.
In all my years working in medical, law enforcement and various commercial fields, I have never known an individual make such an impact on their audience as she does. Bridie has the unique ability to empathise with her target audience whether they be a solitary frightened and injured victim or a room full of senior law enforcement officers and deliver the required guidance or message clearly and without faltering.
It is Bridie’s unwavering passion and drive in this field that has not only served to assist her in delivering her teachings across the board to countless various audiences but has made an infamous impact on others, gathering others to follow in her wake to work just as tirelessly as she does in this desperately important field.
Bridie has made a tremendous impact on both myself and on those around me and I consider myself honoured to have received her knowledge and experience across such a wide and complex field."