A big thank you to Pudsey and Children in Need for funding our refuge Opening Doors project
This week at Glow we’re saying a big thank you to everyone that supports BBC Children in Need.
Every year the live TV fundraiser raises millions of pounds, but have you ever wondered where that money actually goes? One of the places is our safe accommodation refuges across Staffordshire!
Thanks to Children in Need funding, we’re able to provide amazing support to children and young people who have been impacted by domestic abuse. This includes one of our latest projects – Opening Doors.
Opening Doors provides holistic, combined support for people who have experienced domestic abuse and their children.
Since it launched in October 2021, 53 children and young people have taken part in the project. There have been 56 activities and 32 one-to-one support sessions. On top of this, 30 parents have been able to access childcare through the project. This has helped them take some time for themselves or attend important appointments.
To celebrate Children in Need this year, we spoke to Children and Young Person’s Domestic Abuse Practitioner Elise. She told us more about the Opening Doors project and why Children in Need donations make such a huge difference to us as a charity.
Hi Elise! Can you tell us about the Opening Doors project?
Opening Doors is a Children in Need funded project that runs across Glow’s refuges. It aims to improve the safety, wellbeing and social needs of the children and young people that we support here. Our children’s team provide one-to-one support, group activities and social sessions for families.
How is the project different from others that we’ve ran at Glow?
This project specifically works with children across our refuges. Refuge is safe accommodation, so families are with us 24/7. This means that we can deliver tailored support in a really holistic way.
What difference has the project already made to children that we support in refuge?
Our children and young people absolutely love taking part in all of the activities with other families and our children’s workers. It’s helped them to build their confidence, have fun and make new friends. On the flip side, it also encourages them to slow down a bit, relax and make time for self-care.
Opening Doors has also helped them to feel safer and access support based on their individual experiences. We’re also able to advocate for them, and their thoughts and feelings, when dealing with more complex situations.
What about parents? How does Opening Doors support them?
The project helps us support parents with different issues that they might face with their children when living in refuge, such as moving schools. A monthly drop-in session is now in place where parents can access support from a children’s worker on a regular basis. They can find advice for anything they’re concerned about. This includes parenting guidance,
local support groups, mental health, school issues or behaviour.
Parents don’t have to attend all of the activity sessions, so this gives them some much needed ‘me time’ while their children are safe and having fun. Opening Doors also provides childcare support for when parents have important meetings or support groups to attend.
Why is Children in Need so important to charities like ours?
Children in Need funding is so important. It allows us to have qualified, experienced and specialist staff working with our most vulnerable children and young people. The difference that their support makes to them and their families is immeasurable.
You can find out more about BBC Children In Need by clicking here.
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