Vouchers for activities
This charity provides mentoring for children and young people impacted by domestic abuse. They aim to provide early intervention to help before the problems they face do lifelong harm.
The funding provided activity and days out for Medway families; families are provided with vouchers to use within a 6-12 month period.
Their Children and Young People Mentor in Medway said “Almost all of our families have now done an activity made possible by the fund.” Activity choices have included Diggerland, puppy yoga, ‘discover a story’ book events and trampolining. The children involved have been extremely grateful.”
For one family the experience was particularly important. Our mentor notes that “the puppy yoga was an amazing bonding experience for the child and her mother”. The impact of domestic abuse can be ingrained in family life for years. Even after they are no longer subjected to the abuse, dealing with the fear, uncertainty, shock and disharmony can last a long time. Sometimes, family conflict can arise where a child feels let down by their non-abusive parent, even though abuse is never the victim’s fault. They can struggle to comprehend their experience and emotions, which can manifest in adverse behaviour such as anger, aggression, violence, anxiety, withdrawal and detachment. Both parent and child may need help in addressing what they have experienced, and this is something offered by the pioneering Oasis trauma healing programme “Recovering Together”. Building positive new memories within the family is an important part of that programme, and why experiences such as puppy yoga for the mother and child are so important.
Thank you Chatham Maritime Trust, once again, for your support for the children and young people in Medway.
