PEGS Service Shout Out - Dewis Choice

Our next service shout is for an organisation that is doing incredible work in highlighting the abuse of older people whilst also delivering much-needed specialist support. PEGS is privileged to know this fantastic team and we will continue to champion them wherever we go.

Dewis Choice is a groundbreaking initiative in the UK. Founded in 2015, the project operates under the Centre for Age, Gender, and Social Justice at Aberystwyth University, aiming to fill a critical gap in services for older abuse survivors.

With the unique approach of combining direct support services with robust research efforts, they offer tailored assistance to older victims, including men, women, and non-binary individuals, ensuring their needs are met comprehensively. The initiative has supported hundreds of older individuals and their families with long-term intensive care, often described as life-saving by its beneficiaries.

The project's research component is equally significant, conducting studies to understand the experiences of older abuse victims better. These studies have revealed critical insights into the challenges faced by older individuals, such as the re-traumatising effects of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. By documenting these experiences, Dewis Choice is influencing policy and improving service provision on a national scale.

The organisation is expanding its efforts to develop new training, e-resources, and toolkits. These resources aim to enhance the capacity of the voluntary and care sectors to detect and address domestic abuse among older populations effectively. Without resources and upskilling professionals, so many older people will go unseen, unprotected and remain at risk of serious harm.

Dewis Choice is pioneering a path to justice and support for older victims, ensuring they receive the care and recognition they deserve.

For more information on Dewis Choice and their work, visit Dewis Choice. Don’t forget to let them know PEGS sent you!

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Founding Director, Michelle, has been awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours for Family Support and Advocacy.

By PEGS Admin • June 15, 2026

Child to Parent Abuse organisation founder awarded MBE The founder of a social enterprise which has supported thousands of parents impacted by abusive behaviours from their children has been awarded an MBE. Michelle John, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales but now based in Shropshire, was among the names announced for the prestigious accolade in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year. In 2020, Michelle set up not-for-profit organisation PEGS with the aim of supporting parents and carers, training professionals, influencing local and national policy, and raising awareness of Child to Parent Abuse – which is thought to affect up to one in ten households in the UK. Since then, she has grown a team of experts who have trained police, social workers, teachers and many other professionals to better recognise the signs of CPA, support parents, and signpost to specialist organisations. In addition, Michelle set up a range of parent-focused initiatives including daily practitioner-led online sessions, a Facebook peer support group which now has 3,300 members, and one-to-one offerings for those at highest risk. PEGS launched a CPA Covenant for employers in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, only the fourth such covenant to be backed by the Government, and Michelle has advised everyone from the Home Office to Channel 4 and the BBC on CPA – the latter for storyline on Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Her work has seen CPA covered by journalists across television news programmes, national newspapers and magazine, and regional press and radio, and she’s received numerous awards both in the UK and internationally. Michelle, whose MBE was awarded for Family Support and Advocacy, said: “This honour is also shared with the parents who have trusted me along the way: they drive me, inspire me and I will always stand with them. “I feel proud, privileged and very grateful – and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and PEGS along the way. There is much more to come for PEGS, and we will continue to work every day for the parents and carers who have been or continue to be impacted by CPA. “There is so much to reflect on from the journey of the last six years, and there have been many highlights and challenges along the way. I am sure there will be many more in the future – although being told I’d received an MBE will always remain a truly incredible moment that I’ll remember forever!” For more information about us, visit www.pegsupport.co.uk or search for 'PEGS' on social media!