Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) groups offer fun, non-judgmental learning to help parents, partners, students, workers, service users & all community members:
- Share meaningful conversations
- De-escalate conflict and address discrimination
- Manage strong emotions safely
- Understand people with different life experience
- Become confident in groups!
AVP started in 1975 when inmates at Green Haven Correctional Facility (New York) worked with local civil rights leaders and Quakers to create workshops on alternatives to violence. AVP workshops are now offered in over 50 countries around the world with the first Newcastle workshop being offered in 1994.
Our workshops are not just for people who are physically violent. They are for anybody who wants to improve their communication skills, strengthen their relationships or deal with conflict better. We believe that:
- Nonviolence (in words, actions and attitudes) is an important foundation of healthy relationships
- There is good in everyone
- We learn by getting involved (there are no lectures)
- We are all teachers and we are all learners.
Two-day Certificate Workshops in Newcastle
June 2026
Transforming Conflict (Basic) workshop
9 am – 6 pm Saturday 13 AND 20 June
Venue: Georgetown Girl Guides Hall, Cnr Lake Rd and Young St, Georgetown
Link for details and to register for this workshop: https://events.humanitix.com/basic-newcastle-june-2026
July/August 2026
Transforming Conflict (Basic) workshop
9 am – 6 pm Sunday 26 July AND 9 August (Dates updated)
Venue: To be confirmed
Link for details and to register for this workshop: https://events.humanitix.com/basic-newcastle-july-2026
November 2026
Transforming Conflict (Basic) workshop
9 am – 6 pm Sunday 15 and 22 November
Venue: To be confirmed
Link for details and to register for this workshop: https://events.humanitix.com/basic-newcastle-november-2026
Weekly AVP Basic Open sessions in Newcastle
We have weekly open sessions in Hamilton North at 5:30 to 8:00 pm on Wednesdays and in Broadmeadow at 10:30 am to 1:00 pm on Thursdays. The Wednesday sessions are in partnership with STARTTS and the Thursday sessions are in partnership with Samaritans Recovery Point. Unlike a two-day workshop, where you can’t join the group after it starts, you can join these groups any week.
You need to book for these workshops before you start. To join the Wednesday group ring Annette on 0493 403 154 and for the Thursday group ring Nadene on 0436 917 485. Or you can contact us via the contact form below. You can read more about AVP as an open group here.
Online and Sydney workshops
There are also regular workshops online and in Sydney.
There are details at https://avpaustralia.org/nsw/workshops-nsw/sydney-workshops/
Please contact us via the form below if you have any questions.