Children's Services at The Haven Wolverhampton The main reason for the existence of the Children's Service is to provide quality play and support in a safe and friendly environment for children who are in the process of surviving domestic abuse and homelessness. Play areas are creatively adapted within the Hostels to accommodate the varying age ranges and the complex needs of the children resident at The Haven. The Children's Service provision has worked with and supported children from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, providing a range of stimulating and therapeutic in - house support structures, from advocacy, arts and crafts, one to one support and group sessions. The Children's Workers liaise closely with mums to acquire the best route for their child's social and emotional development

Although children view the play and resource room, as their sanctuary, mums are encouraged and welcomed into the children's play area to share in mother and children sessions; this helps to build up a foundation of trust between mum, child and staff which is paramount for good service delivery. However this can also be a time for much needed respite for mums who are going through very difficult times, the children's workers are sensitive to the needs of mums in residence and can adapt quickly to benefit both mums and children. Pre-school children can experience a range of play activities enabling them to gain some form of pre-school structure and routine so that the transition into education is not too daunting, they are encouraged to be on a par with their peers and are given the opportunity to gently prepare for life outside The Haven.
The Children's Workers also support the older children after school enabling them to do their homework in a quiet relaxed environment.

Where would we be without our play and craft sessions? The playroom is a buzz with activity a vast array of art materials take shape with gluing, sticking, painting, colouring and drawing, sometimes all at the same time, dependant on the age range and development of the child, and seasons help lay a timetable of indoor craft sessions, these are just a sample of what craft work progresses in the playroom at The Haven.
The concentration portrayed by each little face is invaluable you could imagine their little brains ticking over as they allow their creative sides to take over and you see artistic masterpieces unfold before your very eyes.

In the children's space they are encouraged to discuss, rationalize and try to come to terms with their individual concerns, the space is also used to help children reflect individually (with limited distractions), adjust and deal with the turmoil of separation from their personal social networks and the traumatic baggage that is associated with Domestic Violence.

Christmas at a glance from the Children's Service The festive season is upon us once again, life in the hostels at Christmas is always hectic but a very special time. Picture if you can 50 plus children away from family, friends, belongings and their familiar environment at a time when most families are together. Many of the children who stay with us are here not through choice but because their homes are no longer places of safety. Behind the scenes dedicated staff utilizes their skills, expertise and limited resources to create a Christmas to make any child proud of. Pre-Christmas planning takes place as early as October at The Haven so all staff, volunteers and students have an idea of what is expected of them.

Then the fun begins from fundraising, children making their wish lists, mums anxious about not being able to afford the latest gadget widely advertised and every child must have! to programming and timetabling, managing kind offers of donations, organizing Christmas parties for both mums and children, arranging the visit from Santa - right the way through to the thank you letters, e-mails and speeches to Christmas Day when we can all draw breath once again!

One of the highlights for all of us is the Christmas party, a visit from a children's entertainer and the arrival of Santa on his sleigh which always goes down a treat and is the highlight of the children's day (and the staff). This occasion is a really good time for mums and children from different hostels to come together, socialize and make new friends with other residents in a safe environment.

In the preparation for Christmas and during Autumn Half-term, the children were invited to take part in The Haven's Christmas Card competition. Every child worked extremely hard creating wonderful art work and designs (making the selection process very difficult for adjudication); the winning design will be printed and sent to The Haven Wolverhampton friends, associates and supporters in time for Christmas. The lucky child whose card is selected will receive a prize! So good luck to all our children who entered the competition, watch out for the results posted soon at the Hostels!

Amid the chaos at Christmas there can be signs of varying levels of physical and emotional behaviours displayed by the children because of what they have encountered as survivors of Domestic Violence. The Children's Workers with the support of Volunteers and Students carry out some very sensitive and self- esteem building work to help counteract and alleviate some very volatile situations. Domestic Violence has always been present in our society but it is no longer swept under the carpet and thankfully a lot more can be done for vulnerable children and The Haven is testament to this.

On an informative note!

Good news for children, soon to be on the horizon; harm to children who witness Domestic Violence in the home is soon to be recognized by Law, children who have witnessed Domestic Violence will soon be protected. Local Authorities will now enquire into a child's welfare or seek the courts to have a child removed from the home if Domestic Violence has taken place, its present and future effect on the child will be taken into consideration.
The House of Commons recently amended the Children and Adoption Bill by extending the legal definition of significant harm to include suffering experienced by children when witnessing the ill-treatment of another person, such as Domestic Violence, when a child is at risk of ' significant harm' intervention will be compulsory.
(Source NSPCC).

Gloria Pearce
Children Support Worker

Page 1
Christmas Appeal
Letter from the Chief Executive

Page 2
Children's Services at The Haven Wolverhampton
Christmas at a glance from the Children's Services
On an information note!

Page 3
Supporting People at Christmas Time
A Tribute to the late Mrs Honor Pringle

Also
The Haven Wolverhampton External Training
The Haven Wolverhampton Donation Form
CRARG Advocacy Training

'Some of the Children's very own Wish List'

F (10yrs) Brats - make-up box.

All I wish for is my mum & dad together, I don't want anything else.

C (8yrs) New shoes, Pyjamas, Dressing Gown

W (13yrs) Game Cube Game

L (10yrs) Football Boots

N (5yrs) Toy Cars

R (4yrs) Baby Doll and Disney Films

And their Comments to this question!

What do you think Christmas will be like at The Haven?

"What is Christmas, I thought Christmas was about forgiveness and families being together" (W 13yrs)

It will be different this year, because everyone will be going to their families.

'Children that have been here before and have now moved on have said, that it will be fun and we will all get presents' (C 8yrs)

'I think it will be really nice being with friends'. (L 6yrs)

Don't forget to support The ClothesLine. Open Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. 26, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton. Telephone 01902 572134.

Business Administration Office:
26, Chapel Ash,
Wolverhampton.

For referrals and 24 hour emergency assistance only, please call 01902 713001.

Our business office number is 01902 572140, fax: 01902 572144.

You can also email us at info@havenrefuge.org.uk

Visit our website at www.havenrefuge.org.uk for details of how you can make a difference.