Help for children impacted by domestic abuse

Wokingham Borough Council is funding a new programme, being run in partnership with local charity Kaleidoscopic UK, to help and support children and young people affected by domestic abuse.

‘The Freedom Programme’ is designed to help all children who are living with, or have been subjected to, any form of domestic abuse, to heal effectively from their trauma.

The interactive programme will be delivered by qualified survivors in a trauma informed environment. They will explore the individual needs of the child while equipping them with the tools and knowledge to help them move forward.

For children aged 5 to 11 years old, the group weekly sessions will take place in person, and for 11 to 16 year olds, the sessions will be online.

In partnership with Kaleidoscopic UK 

Vickie Robertson, Founder and CEO of Kaleidoscopic UK said, “Too often, children are the forgotten and hidden victims of domestic abuse. One in five children in the UK are subjected to domestic abuse.

"That's six per classroom. Children are now recognised as victims in their own right under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and they deserve the chance to process and heal which also helps break the cycle.

“We are grateful to our partners Wokingham Borough Council for their support in getting this programme off the ground so that we can help support local children and young people within our community.”

Ensuring all children and young people are safe

Cllr Sarah Kerr, executive member for resident services and climate emergency said, “Our residents’ safety is always our number one priority, and we are here to support all victims of domestic abuse within our community.

“Our vision is that Wokingham is a borough in which all children and young people are safe and cared for.

"We want them to enjoy and achieve, to be healthy and resilient, we want them to grow up ready for adulthood, and feel happy, hopeful and loved.

"We hope this programme will support those children in our community affected by domestic abuse, to heal effectively from their trauma and move forward with their lives.”

Referrals from professional or parents are welcome and can be made via the Kaleidoscopic website or by sending an email to kaleidoscopicuk@gmail.com.

The council’s domestic abuse service is delivered by its partners at Cranstoun and you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0118 402 1921  Alternatively, you can email or visit the Cranstoun website. 

Domestic abuse support options

• In an emergency call 999

• Call Childline on 0800 1111

• Kaleidoscopic UK, a local peer support service for adults and children

• SupportU local LGBT+ domestic abuse support, call 0118 321 9111 (10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday)

• Hourglass, support for those over the age of 58 in Wokingham Borough who are affected by abuse, call 0808 808 8141

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (female victims), call 0800 2000 247 (open 24 hours)

• Mankind Initiative (male victims), call 01823 334244

• Male Advice Line, call 0808 801 0327

• National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline, call 0800 999 5428

• Respect phone line (those worried about their behaviour), call 0808 802 4040