Family mediation sessions
Family mediation sessions involve both mum and child meeting with support workers to listen to each other's views and discuss problems which may have arisen. Both parties have the opportunity to express their inner thoughts with staff members present to support. We also offer the children one-to-one sessions allowing the child to speak to a member of staff about their problems.
Self Esteem Sessions
We provide Self Esteem Sessions at a local school to help children settle in and manage any worries or problems.
Children’s Group
A weekly children’s group, has successfully been running for three years enabling the children to express thoughts and concerns with the support of an independent social worker. The children can talk openly and safely about the domestic violence they have witnessed helping them to deal with the abuse experienced.
Mothers and Toddlers
Mother and toddler sessions encourage interaction between the mother and child, the women can also seek practical parenting advice. Lots of the women will ask for support in for example how to discipline their children, we talk about tactics such as time out etc.
Pre-School
This is for children aged 2 - 5 years. We are Ofsted registered.
After School Club
The after school club provides anti bullying awareness training for the teenagers.
Child Recovery Project
The project offers children who have experienced domestic violence the chance to express their views and feelings about the abuse they have lived with, witnessed or suffered and to look at some of their behaviours from healthy, helpful behaviours to ones that cause them distress or get them into trouble. The programme employs a specialist qualified children’s worker to co-ordinate and run groups with various topics that encourage the children to examine their feelings and look at dealing with their emotions thus reducing the impact of abuse and building confidence. Other strategies aim to prevent future abusive situations and reduce future health and schooling problems.
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Teen Group
We provide activities for the teenagers that develop their social skills, we have previously had workshops on CV writing, bullying etc.
Health Visitor/Nurse
We have a Health Visitor that visits the refuge fortnightly, to support the women with any health issues for the children. We also have a school nurse that is available to see children on an individual basis or with the mother to speak about issues such as puberty, she can also take height, weight, blood pressure measurements etc.
Art Therapy
A qualified therapist runs a group with about six children aged between 5 - 11, these sessions give the children the opportunity to express themselves through a creative outlet.
Arts and Crafts
A student from the local college visits weekly and does arts and crafts activities with the mums and children.
Activities
We provide fun activities but we also provide activities to support them in dealing with the trauma of their experiences, workers are available to speak with children on a one to one basis and in group settings, at the child's level and when they are ready.
We organise outings and trips for the women and children. Easter, summer, Christmas holidays etc.
We have a garden play area that has a soft surface. It is split into 2 sections for younger and older children.
We leave welcome gifts in the rooms for the children residents.
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