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This month sees the production of a series of programmes on Radio and TV marking the 40th Anniversary of ‘Cathy Come Home’, which highlighted the plight of those who find themselves homeless and with children. Please listen out for The Haven’s response on local radio and in the press, and if you feel able to, give your support through our new text donations - text ‘HAVEN’ 84010 and donate £1.50 (standard network rates apply) - or please visit our website at www.havenrefuge.org.uk. Please accept my grateful thanks to all of you for the support that you give to The Haven Wolverhampton, both now and throughout the year. On behalf of the Staff, Board Members and Volunteers, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and New Year. Kath Rees
During the Autumn half term, the children
were kept busy making Diwali cards, Halloween masks, and celebrated
Eid by having a party. November and December is a very busy time for
the Children’s Service, which involves planning and preparing
for the festive season. Soon the children will be writing their letters
to Santa, which will enable the team to work with mums in choosing
the right present for each child. During the summer and autumn break the Y B Cos Project took on the theme 'Being Healthy, Enjoying Life and Achievement'. Activities included sports & swimming, career opportunities, autumn workshops and healthy lifestyle projects for children and young people from 8 to 18 years old. The swimming session was attended by young mothers. For one young mother, whose past experiences had held her back, it was the first time she had been swimming with her young toddler. She commented on how much she enjoyed it and would like to go again. The healthy lifestyle workshop included healthy eating choices, healthy breakfasts for young mums with toddlers and 'Making Fajitas the Mexican Way'. The sessions were well supported and everyone’s knowledge of what’s healthy and what’s not was really put to the test. Younger children went on a Secret Mission Story & Craft Session at Central Library and enjoyed trips to the park. The aim of this programme was to promote a healthy lifestyle and to encourage independent living. Lisa Cutrera The children have had a huge input into planning the October half term play programme. Through children’s meetings, the children decided which activities they would like to do. Activities included Stay and Play, Diwali workshops (the Hindu – celebration of light), cooking activities (our healthy eating project), Halloween party and much more. Another of our Hostel gardens is undergoing refurbishment. We recently held a children’s meeting asking the children to make a plan of what they would like to see in their garden. The children took inspiration from the local adventure playground and used ideas from the internet and local library. Since this meeting, it has been agreed that the garden will be divided into three areas – Recreational Area, Play Area (with climbing frame) and a Planting Area, for children to plant herbs and flowers during planned play sessions. With the help of local artists in the area, we hope to create a colourful environment for the children to relax and play in. This is also a fantastic opportunity for children of all ages to realise their artistic tendencies and creative flair. In celebration of the Queen's 80th Birthday, a number of leading publishers donated many fantastic books to be presented to children at The Haven as part of the ‘Reading is Fundamental’ project. To mark the occasion, we held a 'Reading is Fun' awareness day. Activities included making book marks, filling in book reviews, dressing up as kings and queens (following the Royal theme), circle time and much more!!! The RIF project has been a great success, encouraging mothers to enjoy books and see this as a fun and important pastime to share with their children. More recently, we received a visit from BIG
LOTTERY representatives, the organisation
which financially
supports the Counselling Service. During their time with us, we discussed
the play opportunities and the support we offer our children here at
The Haven Wolverhampton. At present we are planning for another of our ‘HAVEN Busy-Times' – CHRISTMAS!!! We have many exciting and interesting things to look forward to for the coming season, as Jan has already mentioned. We are also working on our Christmas Card competition, planning decorations for the playrooms and, funds allowing, hopefully a visit to this year’s Pantomime at the Grand Theatre for all mothers and children. Emma Burns
The food was excellent - lots of cakes, baked spuds, hot dogs with onions, home made minestrone soup, even Margaret's pumpkin and ginger cheesecake! The hostel was well-decorated with the children's painted pumpkins and 'Skeleton Alley' - a corridor of the kid's chalk skeletons. On top of that was all the stuff from Hooty’s - banners, spiders' webs, plastic skeletons, etc. The limbo dancing and apple bobbing was a new one for me! A special word of thanks needs to go to D & J (parents) for helping me put up decorations and for doing most of the washing up; to Jan (out of hours worker) who made amazing cakes, even one iced with a ghost! She bought all the decorations, mixed the music, organized the limbo frame, etc. She deserves a Haven medal! There was a lovely ambient glow from the pumpkins and there were no fights, although there were a couple of blips with children not accepting that they hadn't won prizes - at least we know what needs working on ‘life-skills’ wise! So, what with the Sports Day, Diwali / Eid parties, M's 2nd Birthday Do and the Halloween party - I think life is fun at The Haven - can't wait for Christmas! Laine
The Role of the Independent Advocacy Worker There are three Independent Advocacy Workers based at The Haven Wolverhampton, two of which are specialist workers for Asian or African-Caribbean Survivors. The role of the Independent Advocate is to ensure that women are aware of their rights and the options – both legal and non-legal - available to them if they are experiencing domestic abuse. In relation to the legal process, advocates can provide information and support at all stages – for example, an advocate’s work can include anything from helping a survivor to report an incident of violence to the Police to assisting women who are already involved in bringing criminal proceedings against perpetrators. The advocacy worker can track cases with the Domestic Abuse Unit to ensure that survivors are aware of the progress and implications of cases at every stage of the legal process. An advocate can inform a survivor of the perpetrator’s bail conditions, the dates of his court appearances, and give the survivor support by accompanying her to court when her attendance is required as a witness. Providing help when accessing solicitors and obtaining court orders – i.e. Non-Molestation Orders (injunctions) and Occupancy Orders (the right to stay in the home) - as well as when dealing with child contact issues is all part of the Advocate’s job. Partnership work is essential to achieving the most effective and safe outcome for women and children. Gail Riggs – Independent Advocacy Service
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At first I never wanted to come, now I don’t want to leave but I know it’s been a great start for myself and my family, made possible by The Haven. I am very grateful to The Haven, I was a victim of Domestic Violence for 10 years - now, I have a good job, I’m married and I’m very happy.
Hostel
No. 6 –A further 10 units of accommodation Recycle your old Mobile Phone! Text Donations Give £1.50 now by texting “HAVEN” to 84010 (standard network rates apply); you will be sent one message charged at £1.50, which will help us to support women and children - victims of Domestic Violence. A huge thank you to all our avid supporters, too numerous to mention - who continue to support our various seasonal appeals such as Christmas, International Women’s Week, Easter Egg Appeal, Summer Play Programme, Half Term Activities and Harvest Festival. Without your efforts, we as an organisation would be unable to deliver the professional services required by women and children throughout their recovery process from the effects of Domestic Violence. Gift Aid Gift Aid provides additional benefits to charities like The Haven Wolverhampton because, if you are a taxpayer, we can claim additional money from the Inland Revenue. This means that we receive an extra 28p per pound donated. When you make your donation to The Haven Wolverhampton you can be assured that every penny will be used to help women and their children resident in our hostels as they seek to build a new life for themselves. Click here to download the Gift Aid form
In all dealings with clients we work towards enabling the client to make informed choices and to maintain independence.
For Referrals and 24-hour emergency assistance only, please call 01902 713001. Our business office number is 01902 572140, fax: 01902 572144.
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