Blooming Strong: Domestic Abuse Support
Those who have experienced domestic abuse are not alone. Children’s charity Barnardo’s estimates that 800,000 people in the UK are impacted by domestic abuse [1], thought to be the tip of the iceberg. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, recognised for the first time in UK law, that children under the age of 18 years who observe abuse and its effects, are victim/survivors themselves.
What is Blooming Strong?
Blooming Strong is a 7 week family recovery programme intended for victim/survivors and their children who have experienced Domestic Abuse and are on their journey towards safety, healing, and recovery from trauma. It is designed for parents/carers who have left the abusive relationship. It provides a supportive, compassionate, and empowering environment where families can rebuild confidence, strengthen emotional wellbeing, and develop healthy relationships together. Through guided activities, therapeutic discussions, creative expression, and practical coping strategies, parents/carers will explore the effects of trauma in a safe and age-appropriate way. The course focuses on helping parents/carers and children to better understand their experiences, process emotions, strengthen their relational bond, improve communication, and develop resilience.
The programme offers a safe environment for children to be given the opportunity to move away from abuse and begin recovery in a therapeutic way. Blooming Strong is designed to offer the parent group the tools and skills to confidently support their child’s recovery. It exists to assist children in their recovery and should not form part of any assessment for a child or family.
What is the aim of the Blooming Strong programme?
Blooming Strong gives parent/carers and their children an opportunity to process and understand what they have experienced.
Over seven weeks, parents/carers will attend sessions designed to help them understand the effects of domestic abuse on themselves and their children. You will not be expected talk about anything you don’t want to and there is no pressure to share personal experiences, unless you want to.
What support will my child receive?
While parent/carers are attending their sessions, children will work with a Children’s Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (CHIDVA). Sessions are trauma-informed and child-led, meaning children will be supported in a way that feels safe and appropriate for them.
How does the Blooming Strong programme work?
Over the programme, the children and parents group meet separately, with the parent’s group mirroring the child sessions to allow all participants to learn new skills in dealing with past traumas. Parents are given the tools to help support their child’s recovery. The programme also allows you to connect with other survivors, to share experiences if you wish.
The children’s sessions use play, stories, drawing and games to help them identify their feelings, learn healthy ways to express emotions and build confidence.
Who is Blooming Strong for?
The Blooming Strong programme is suitable if:
– There is no ongoing exposure to abuse
– The perpetrator does not reside in the family home.
When does Blooming Strong take place?
The Blooming Strong programme is held throughout the year, with each course taking place over a 7 week period, with the 7th week including a fun-filled celebration for parent/carers and their children to come together to celebrate.
How can you take part in, or refer someone?
For further details or to refer a family, please phone: 0191 272 7824.or email: [email protected]
Want to get a better understanding of Blooming Strong?
