Lucas* and Josh were just 10 and eight when they had to move house because their mum, Leila was being abused by their dad.
Sadly, the children had witnessed the terrifying abuse their dad had inflicted on their mum, leaving them traumatised and struggling to cope.
Both the boys were finding school difficult when they were introduced to Children First by their head teacher.
Leila recalls, “It really impacted the kids. They were very scared after witnessing what happened.”
Lucas, Josh and their mum desperately needed help to feel safe, understand what they had been through and recover together.
With court proceedings underway, Children First stepped in to provide consistent, compassionate support to the family when they needed it most.
The national children’s charity provides expert support to serving armed forces families at the school the brothers attend thanks to funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Sarah, a dedicated Children First project worker, became a vital part of the family’s journey to safety and recovery.
Children First alongside key partners offered a range of support for the two boys and their mum both at school and at home. The brothers had individual sessions with Sarah as did Leila, and they did activities together as a family too.
Using creative tools, Sarah helped the children express their big emotions, build resilience, and understand their experiences. Activities such as drawing self-portraits helped the children to reflect on their feelings and develop healthy coping strategies.
Leila shared, “Sarah got to know the kids through school. She supported them emotionally, gave guidance and advice and helped protect them. The activities helped them build confidence.”
The sessions also helped the children navigate complex emotions around their parents’ separation. Lucas, who often felt like the “protector,” was supported to explore his sense of justice and learning to understand different perspectives.
Thanks to the support from Children First, Lucas, Josh and their mum now feel safe and happy. The children are thriving at school, making friends and showing renewed confidence.
Leila says, “We’re feeling much better now than last year. The kids are doing well and aren’t scared anymore.”
Even now that the support with Sarah has ended, Children First continues to check in with the family through their support line, ensuring they still felt connected and supported.
Leila wholeheartedly recommends Children First to other families: “The support isn’t just emotional help. The activities for the kids gave me a break too. It meant so much for all of us.
“Sarah is just fantastic. She is always there to listen and help us overcome our fears. She’s a genuinely caring person.”
If you are a parent or carer that is struggling or are worried about a child, Children First’s support line is here for you.
Call the team on 08000 28 22 33 or go to www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline for more information.
*Names have been changed throughout to protect the identity of the family.