Facing the Future project launches
Children and young people in Fortalice’s refuges who have escaped domestic abuse are being given extra help and support to get back to living in the community.
Fortalice has been awarded £59,000 by the Masonic Charitable Foundation to pay for a new service which will help youngsters to successfully adjust to their new lives. ‘Facing the Future’ will provide emotional and practical support for youngsters aged 5 to 16 who are leaving our refuge services and transitioning back in to life in the community.
Each year, we have around 80 to 100 children and young people resident in our refuges for varying amounts of time. They are often traumatised by their experiences at home, including direct abuse, and receive high levels of support while they are in the refuge. However, the move back into the community having been in the refuge can be extremely daunting for children and young people. They need help and support to successfully move back into mainstream society.
The Project Worker will meet youngsters for a couple of hours each week for around three months to provide stability and help them successfully adjust to their new lives. Trained volunteers will then work with them for up to six months if needed building new supportive networks, like youth clubs, and getting them extra support if they are behind with school work.
“We’re very grateful to East Lancashire Freemasons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation for their generous grant,” said Gill Smallwood, Fortalice Chief Executive. “This support is still acutely needed as the children and young people adjust once again to new lives, new schools and new situations.”
The Freemasons is a worldwide social and charitable organisation. Martin Horan, Leader of Bolton Freemasons, stated: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Fortalice with their hugely important project. Domestic abuse can have a profound effect on children and the refuges offer vital shelter but moving on from life there can be difficult. Fortalice is doing wonderful work helping these young people to move back into school and everyday life.”
