Domestic abuse can cause significant harm to children’s physical and neurological development, their emotional wellbeing and mental health, their school life and their relationships. With the right support, children can recover from their experience of even the most severe abuse. It does not need to define their future life chances. The stay in a refuge is an important window of opportunity to engage children with high levels of need alongside their mums in an environment where they feel safe.

Working closely with families in our refuges, we have developed a programme of activities for the summer school holidays. We will deliver a range of parties, creative activities within the refuges and day trips. This is often the first time the mums have been able to take their children on trips like visiting the zoo or beach. Wellbeing activities like these are a key part of children’s recovery; it brings families closer together and helps mums feel more confident in their parenting.