Aiding recovery from domestic abuse

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CHILD NEGLECT PIC - POSED BY MODEL.

PIC SHOWS A CHILD WHO IS SUFFERING AFTER BEING NEGLECTED BY A PARENT.

PHOTO PHIL WILKINSON / TSPL — SOS CHILD NEGLECT PIC - POSED BY MODEL. PIC SHOWS A CHILD WHO IS SUFFERING AFTER BEING NEGLECTED BY A PARENT. PHOTO PHIL WILKINSON / TSPL

Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery (CEDAR) is a is a group model inspired by, and adapted from, an innovative Canadian model for children who have experienced domestic abuse.

It provides a therapeutic psycho-educational programme that takes place over 12 weeks, with groups for children and young people (aged 4-16) and their mothers running in parallel.

These provide an opportunity to explore the experiences, understanding and feelings associated with domestic abuse, with an emphasis on providing fun and creative activities that keep children engaged and interacting with each other, creating a safe place for children and their mothers to help each other to find the best strategies to deal with their experiences and rebuild their lives.

18-10-2016 Picture Roberto Cavieres.
24 Crossveggate Business Park, Milngavie: Domestic Abuse of women and children Â£285K Lottery donation to help the organisation 24 Crossveggate Business Park, Milngavie: Feature on Domestic Abuse of women and children Â£285K Lottery donation to help the organisation CEDAR — 18-10-2016 Picture Roberto Cavieres. 24 Crossveggate Business Park, Milngavie: Domestic Abuse of women and children Â£285K Lottery donation to help the organisation 24 Crossveggate Business Park, Milngavie: Feature on Domestic Abuse of women and children Â£285K Lottery donation to help the organisation CEDAR

This includes helping mothers to support their children in their recovery.

Councillor Tom Weatherston, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for adult social care, said: “The impact of domestic abuse is unimaginably profound and life-changing, and no less so when it affects the youngest members of our community.

“A programme like CEDAR is a vitally important way of providing them with the support that they need to try and make sense of what has happened to them and find a way to move forward with their lives.

“The way in which support is also provided for their mothers is an integral and powerful part of the programme and provides a tangible way for the impact on the whole family to be explored.

“Feedback received from families who have previously gone through the programme has been extremely positive with many reporting significant benefits from taking part and I would encourage anyone who also feels they could benefit to get in touch and find out more.”

Groups take place twice a year, with the first session due to start in February. Another one will begin in September.

People can refer themselves directly, but referrals are also received from schools, health workers, social workers or support agencies such as Children 1st or the Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support Service.

For more information, contact the CEDAR co-ordinator at: [email protected] or on 01835 824000 ext. 5494.