Bethan Clark (Fowler) is a qualified registered Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate with Women’s Aid and works for Next Link, training GPs at practices across Bristol. Working directly with victim survivors to help them ensure their safety and support any practical and emotional support needs they may have. Bethan also speaks to second year medical students at Bristol University about the health impacts of domestic violence abuse on patients. 

What are your best memories of BGS?

All the extra curricular things that were on offer to me! I was deeply involved in music during my time at BGS and took part in lots of concerts and performances with some really incredible people, including a flute quartet ‘Passion Flutes’ and the amazing organisations of popular music by the Head of Music Richard Osmond with the likes of Sting and the Police and Simon and Garfunkel. I also had my passion for the outdoors nurtured during my time at BGS and took part in the DofE bronze award, lots of Summit Club trips and even a month long expedition to India with World Challenge, lead by Dr Dimberline, which set me on a course to travel the world as and when I have been able to ever since.

What was your next step after BGS?

I sat my A-Levels in Geography, Music and Psychology at BGS in 2002 before accepting a place at Exeter University to study Childhood and Youth Studies. I knew I wanted to work with people, maybe specifically children, but I hadn't figured out what just yet so this was a good base for me.

Tell us about your career path to date. 

After University I decided I wanted to follow law, specifically working in the family courts as a child advocate through divorce, child arrangements or care proceedings. I therefore completed the law conversion course and legal practice course (GDL and LPC) but then struggled to find a job in my chosen field due to legal aid cuts. I worked in insurance law for a couple of years but it wasn't for me, and after leaving I worked at a primary school in South Bristol as the family liaison worker, which was much more closely aligned to my initial goals. I have since worked for First Response (the gateway to Bristol Childrens' social services) for about seven years, and have been working for Next Link for about two years now. My role is to train all staff in GP practices in Bristol to help them spot patients who are suffering DVA, and to respond safely to disclosures. They then refer the victim survivors to me and I work directly with them in whatever way they want to help them move forwards; this could be helping them to leave a relationship, guidance through the court system, safety planning or emotional support validating their experience.

How did your education and experiences at BGS contribute to your career success?

BGS prepared me well to go to University and undertake further study. I think the ethos at BGS to explore the world around us and to play to our individual strengths also made me not shy away from a less traditional career path.

What advice would you give to your younger self or to current students who are looking to pursue a similar path?

My career didn’t take a traditional route so I think that would be my advice.Don't be afraid to side-step, or even start again if what you're doing isn't fulfilling your professional goals and ambitions. Be confident in who you are and even if your career isn't set out ahead of you from Day 1 you will make a difference and you will get there in the end.