Children's Groups

Bridge Associates provide a children’s group for children aged seven to eleven who have been affected by domestic abuse.

The course is run over ten weeks in school time. Close liaison with the child’s school ensures that all children have a mentor in the school especially selected for them as added support for them for the duration of the group.

The group’s primary purpose is to provide a safe and welcoming environment in which children will feel safe enough to explore and share some of their experiences of living in a family where there has been domestic abuse.

The group supports a maximum number of eight children at a time and uses a variety of methods such as stories, films, puppets, games, painting and drawing. Assessments prior to the group determine its appropriateness for each individual child.

A lead facilitator and a co-facilitator, both of who have experience of working with children affected by domestic abuse and of running groups, run the group.

Bridge Associates know that children who have experienced domestic abuse will be affected in some or all of the following ways:

• Low confidence levels
• Low self-esteem
• Poor sleep/eating patterns
• Self-blame
• Withdrawal into self
• Little interest in school
• Limited network of friends
• Aggressive or disruptive behaviour
• Feelings of sadness, anger and loneliness

All groups start with a pre-group orientation get together for all children and a follow up post group meeting for feedback and any further recommendations.