This summer, our Stoke-on-Trent refuge garden has had a colorful makeover thanks to BBC Children in Need.?
At Glow, we're so grateful to have such a big green space for families to use when they come to stay with us.
It’s important that we have bright, welcoming areas within our refuge, so people feel as comfortable as possible while they work towards their next chapter.?
Our garden was already?well-loved and well-used, but it wasn’t looking very colourful – until now!
Thanks to BBC Children in Need funding, our refuge team bought six new rainbow picnic benches for the children that live with us.?
They’ve already?proved popular with families this summer, with many having picnics outside in?the sun.?
Now our garden?is not only a safe and welcoming space for families, but a colourful one too.?
Mum-of-two Alicia* lives in our safe accommodation with her two boys. She said they’ve already been enjoying the new benches.?
She said: “I?love the garden and the new picnic benches. I think they’re wonderful and the?children really love them.
“We had a?picnic a few weeks ago and the children were playing outside and eating at the?benches. It’s nice to see them enjoying it.”
Alicia has received?support from us after facing domestic abuse. Our dedicated staff have been?there every step of the way.
She explained:?“Glow have supported me practically and emotionally.
“They’ve always been there for me and provided me with everything I need, so I’m very grateful.”
The team have?supported Alicia, but they’ve also looked out for her children too.
Our Children’s?Team provide amazing support to the whole family through our Opening Doors?project, funded by BBC Children in Need.
Opening Doors?provides holistic, combined support for parents who have experienced domestic?abuse and their children.
The project?teaches parents how to play with their children and spend precious one-on-one?time with them. This might not have been possible when they were living with an?abusive partner.
For children, it?means they can play, get messy and have fun! There’s always so much to get?involved in, including crafts, Lego, painting and gardening.
There’s also time for parents to have time to themselves, while our Children’s Team keep?their little ones busy with different activities.
Alicia said: “Glow?is helping my children by helping them deal with their feelings and emotions. It can be very hard when you leave your house to come to refuge.
“Staff have?been supporting my eldest especially, as he’s been dealing with anger after?everything that happened. They’ve been helping him to understand what is going?on.
“They help me?by giving me some time so I can go upstairs and have quiet time while the?children are being taken care of doing activities like Lego, playing and?colouring, which they love doing.”
*name changed?to protect identity
