Domestic violence

Morning! Our lovely member Tabitha is aChildren’s Services Caseworker for 

Missing Children & Young People Liaison so has dedicated her life to helping some of the most vulnerable and at risk young people in the country. She's written to us asking for our collective help to show this family the milk of human kindness that they so deserve. I must warn you, it's a tough read x

Hi lovely admins,

A nomination for you.

Essential grants for our most vulnerable residents are disappearing due to a change of parties in East Sussex.  Especially since the crisis fund is the only place for families on free school meals to apply to now that the summer holiday food provision has been entirely axed.  That means families like the one below, fleeing domestic violence, have even less chance of support for basic necessities. 

Following 11 years in an abusive and controlling relationship, Mum has made the incredibly brave decision to flee to a refuge with her two boys, D aged 14 and O, aged 6, who have been witness to this domestic violence.  They are all, naturally,  incredibly traumatised, frightened and have lost their home and all of their possessions.  This is especially hard for D, whose autism,  ADHD and sensory needs make routine and familiarity a huge part of his ability to process the world around him.  Police deemed it unsafe for them to return to gather belongings, even with a police escort. 

Now Mum and the boys are now in East Sussex (not their home county) with no clothes, toothbrushes, etc. and the emergency refuge placement available doesn’t even have a kettle.  It was heartbreaking to hear how much the fact that she couldn’t even make herself a cup of tea devasted her.  £500 would be life changing for this family right now, to provide the basic necessities we all take for granted, and hopefully an ice cream or two for the boys to make their sudden arrival to our little seaside town feel even the tiniest bit like a holiday and not simply an escape from violence. 

Hope you’re all having a lush summer,

Love as always, Tabs x