Our project is seeking funding to run a 'Fatfish' (Facilitating Art Therapeutically) Workshop that has been created in order to both educate and challenge young people’s beliefs around domestic abuse. Our four trained facilitators will deliver a specifically designed three day intensive Therapeutic Art Workshop for children impacted by domestic abuse in the Guildford area and wider South West Surrey community. The purpose of the group will be to offer the children a variety of creative and enjoyable activities which will support them and help them to understand domestic abuse and recognise that it is not acceptable or their fault. We will explore appropriate vs inappropriate expressions of emotion as well as help children develop safety plans in the event of further exposure to abuse. Research with young people who have experienced domestic abuse has shown that they benefit greatly from group work.

What we'll deliver:

• Three day Therepeutic Art Workshop to both educate and challenge young people’s beliefs around domestic abuse.
• A clear and crisp insight to all forms of abuse. Offered in group conversations, debate and via media showing.
• Lunch and transport provided
• Sporting activities and games
• Awareness raising posters
• Arts and crafts to support as an emotional outlet
• Engagement and safety planning with local police force

Why it's a great idea:

Through a variety of creative and enjoyable activities in the Therapeutic Art Workshop, the benefits are: 1. Support for the children in helping them to understand domestic abuse and recognise that it is not acceptable or their fault. 2. Helping them to explore appropriate vs inappropriate expressions of emotion. 3. Helping the children to develop safety plans in the event of further exposure to abuse. 4. By the end of the Workshop, children will have reassurance that they are not alone and can be supported by other children who have had similar experiences. 5. The programme can help relieve many physical conditions that have been the result of stress and anxiety in these children's lives, thereby promoting their physical health. Research with young people who have experienced domestic abuse has shown that they benefit greatly from group work, especially in a creative environment, such as an Art workshop.

Steps to get it done:

• Engage Therapeutic Art professional to run the Workshop in August.
• Book venue to run Therapeutic Art Workshop for children impacted by domestic abuse.
• Invite children to attend Workshop.
• Invite children who attend the Workshop and non-abusive parent to complete a feedback form.

We have been running the workshops for 10+ years and here is just a snapshot of some of the feedback we have received: From children attending: • The children all reported feeling "Happy and secure" in the group. They felt "Supported and helped", and all felt that the group made them "Happier". An amazing 90% reported that "Understanding that arguments between adults are not their fault". From parents: “This group has really helped my child to understand other children have experienced similar things and in addition he has been managing his emotions better since” “She learnt that arguments between her Dad and me and her Dad and Step Mum aren’t her fault. She also learnt that it’s ok to call 999 if she feels worried about an argument happening.” “The group has helped my daughters to further process what they heard their dad do to me and to understand domestic abuse better and they have felt happier since the group. Their behaviour and emotions seem more settled now.”