Black Country Women’s Aid (BCWA) has been awarded almost £500,000 in National Lottery funding to expand an innovative family therapy programme for mothers and children affected by domestic abuse.
The West Midlands-based charity will use the money to support families in Walsall and Dudley after successfully launching the programme in Sandwell this summer with funding from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
‘Flourishing Futures’ is a three-year project that will will support families affected by domestic abuse and violence. Specially trained BCWA staff will work with adult victims and their children to help them process what has happened, mend fractured relationships, and heal together.
Over 1000 children and their mothers from the three boroughs will receive one-to-one and group counselling and take part in special therapeutic art and games activities from the NSPCC’s Domestic Abuse Recovering Together (DART) programme. The project’s aims are to make the children more resilient, emotionally healthy and less vulnerable, support their mothers to continue to protect them, and to keep the families safe from perpetrators and give them space to recover.
By taking part in Flourishing Futures, mothers and children will have a better understanding what they have experienced together and recover from their shared trauma as a family.
Family groups have already reported developing stronger bonds and friendships with other mothers and children. One of the programme’s strengths is the formation of peer support groups for victims’ long-term, sustainable recovery.
BCWA Children and Young People’s Advocate Louise explains: “Mums and kids are learning how to talk about their experiences.
“That it’s ok to call it domestic abuse; that it’s not their fault; that it’s ok for mums to show their emotions in front of their children as the family will all be feeling the same things. For some of the mums, this is the first time they have spoken to their children about what they’ve been through together.
“The mums are also really bonding well with each other.” Sara Ward, BCWA CEO says: “We’re delighted that the National Lottery has joined Sandwell Council and recognised our innovative and far-reaching work in this way. Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to support more families affected by domestic abuse and violence in the West Midlands, and help more victims to become survivors.
“We’re proud of the inventive approach we’re taking, supported by the NSPCC DART Programme, in supporting mothers and children together. Rebuilding family bonds are vital for victims to restart new, safer lives and helping victims to recognise and process their experiences helps to protect them in the future and break the cycle of abuse.”
