A six week course which helps children in and around Eastleigh who are affected by domestic abuse begins on 25th February.
The Eastleigh Children’s Domestic Abuse Group is run by supported housing provider Stonham with the children’s charity NSPCC.
The group offers confidential weekly two hour sessions where children aged between 9-11 years old learn different ways of expressing their feelings, ways of coping with difficult situations at home and how to access help whenever needed.
Other topics covered are children and young people’s rights, anti-bullying strategies and how to manage anger in a positive way.
Stonham Children’s Worker, Jeannette Godsell, said: “Over 750,000 children a year in the UK witness domestic abuse. We wanted to develop a group where children could get together and talk about their experiences and know they are not alone and they are not to blame. We deal with very difficult subjects in a sensitive way and above all we make sure there is lots of fun and laughter.
“This is the second group we have run and the feedback from the first sessions was very positive. It really helps the children to talk about the way they feel. One nine year old boy was asked what domestic abuse meant to him and he simply said “It’s when your heart breaks”. The aim of the course is to help children like him cope with their situation and to increase their confidence and self esteem.
“This is the only support group of this type in the area and there is a real need to offer help and support to children affected by domestic abuse.”
The group will run from 3:45pm at the Chamberlayne Children’s Centre in Eastleigh.
For more information please call Jeannette Godsell (Stonham) 07710 709502 or Patrick Hobbs (NSPCC) on 02380 248 180