We have special group programmes for children and young people who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse. These are our B@ck on Tr@ck programmes.

We currently run two programmes:

B@ck on Tr@ck 7 to 11
All ages are affected by domestic abuse in the family home and so this group supports the primary school age group. The group meets weekly after school for nine weeks. We have lots of fun in this group – come along and watch a volcano erupt and make a potato head! We look at what domestic abuse is, how it makes us feel and who we can turn to if we need some help, plus lots more fun and creative activities. It is easy to make friends as it is a really friendly group and our workers are a fantastic bunch. We may be able to provide some transport so please get in touch if you need this. For more information please contact us on 0117 961 3065 or email [email protected]

B@ck on Tr@ck 11 to 17
The group meets weekly after-school for ten weeks and we provide transport so getting there is easy. We do loads of fun activities together to look at what domestic abuse is, how it affects us, how we can deal with angry and confusing feelings and how we can spot healthy or unhealthy relationships in the future. There’s lots of time for Q&A, food, pool and having fun together. Come along and see what you think. For more information please contact us on 0117 961 3065 or email [email protected]

For parents / carers: These groups are for children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse and who no longer live with the person causing these difficulties. We run the primary aged group in partnership with the South Gloucestershire Family Intervention Support Service (FISS) and the secondary aged group in partnership with Barnardo’s.

We have just run a highly successful programme – please see one comment from a parent below:

“Sam said the course really helped her. I would like to thank you all for your help. Without groups like these and your organisation there would be no hope for some people. Thank you for your organisation being there. Thank you does not seem enough”.

Our Family Support Service at Survive offers practical and emotional support to women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse. We support women when they come into refuge – helping them to deal with the practicalities of moving-on and helping their children at this time. We also offer 1:1 work in the community with children and their parent/carer. The abuse may still be ongoing and so we find a safe place to meet to talk through the issues you/your child is facing. Our work is centred on what you and your child feel you need and we allow space for you to explore what has happened, the impacts of this and how you can begin to move on.

‘Without a doubt you have not only helped me to change mine and my children's life but have saved our life. If I hadn't of had the support from you I would of gone back to him…Thank you from that first phone call, refuge support, children’s support, childcare, play sessions, court process, social services, police, housing issues, freedom programme and many many more!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart…This will also impact on generations to come - I will do my upmost to bring my children up in a happy, non violent, non manipulating, happy, safe home and they will bring up their children in the same way and so on. I am still a 'work in progress' but I am getting there and getting stronger each week because of the knowledge, understanding and the tools you have given me to get through it’.

Our team offers outreach to children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse. You may still be living in the situation or you may have moved on. We are able to meet up with you on a 1:1 basis and talk about your experiences and how it has affected you. Some children and young people are happy to talk about their experiences whereas for others it is not the right time. We tailor our support to what you need and go at the pace you are happy with. We do fun, creative activities with you that build up your knowledge of healthy and unhealthy relationships and that increase your confidence and self-esteem. We also have a mentor service. This is made up of trusted volunteers who will meet on a 1:1 basis with boys aged 8 to 17 to talk or do activities together.

For more information on this service please contact: [email protected] or call 0117 961 3065

We have started an exciting new project in South Gloucestershire Schools doing preventative work with students and teachers. Our interactive assembly, follow-on workshops, 1:1 sessions and awareness sessions for school’s professionals are all designed to encourage young people to think differently about relationships. We ask questions such as ‘What does a healthy/unhealthy relationship look like’ and look at what is OK in our relationships. Our sessions are thought provoking and engaging and students come away knowing how to get help themselves if they need it and how to support a friend.

If you are a professional and would like us to come and do some work in your school – please get in touch: [email protected] or call 0117 961 3065

‘They were useful and will help if I need help with a relationship’.

‘It was really helpful because I never knew how (many) things came under domestic violence. I know a lot more useful things (now)’.