Refuge Accommodation Services
Hull Women's Aid provides safe refuge accommodation that is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Children & Young People
Children arriving at the refuge will have been affected in a variety of ways by the domestic abuse they have been involved in. Each child’s experience of domestic abuse varies, some may have witnessed the abuse, some may have intervened and some may have been coerced into perpetrating the abuse. They will feel confused about the sudden changes, they will be aware that their mum is upset but they will not understand why, they will be fearful and insecure of what to expect from life in a refuge.
We have qualified children’s support workers who work individually with children to support them to settle into the refuge and to help them overcome their experiences. In addition they will work in partnership with mums and the refuge staff, to provide individual family support.
Outreach
We offer outreach support for children and young people from birth upwards. We provide someone to talk to on a one to one basis about their experiences of living with or witnessing domestic abuse and also to understand their feelings, build confidence, self-esteem and help children to recognise that they are not alone and that the abuse they have experienced is not their fault.
Refuge
The children’s workers in the refuge provide regular play sessions in the refuge and outings in the holidays and after school. Most importantly, they offer children and young people the opportunity for someone to listen to them, giving them the opportunity to talk about their feelings. Organised activities with other children in the setting plays a huge part in recovery for children.
Nursery
The refuge nursery provides a high quality play environment for children under 5 years on a daily basis. Our specialist practitioners provide fun activities and appropriate activities to support children to deal with the trauma of their experiences in a safe and secure environment.
In addition the service provides a valuable crèche service for Hull Women’s Aid service users when they have to attend essential meetings and appointments such as health care needs, solicitors or court. The specialist practitioners also provides essential support for mothers and their children including delivering a nurturing programme.
Preventative work
The children’s team also provide preventative work which includes:
Effects of domestic abuse on children and young people training
Domestic abuse awareness training
Talks and presentations
Delivery of violence free programme in schools.
Delivery of healthy relationship programme in schools
Or if you prefer, you could get someone else to call – a friend, someone in your family, or someone from your school.
