A fresh start for Millie and Amy

When sisters Millie (14) and Amy (12)* were referred to Cambridge Acorn Project, they had recently moved from a refuge into their own home following experiences of domestic abuse.

We began by spending time with the family to understand the whole picture of their lives and the support they wanted. Together, we developed a tailored package of support that included art therapy and foreign language lessons for both girls. Through this process, we also identified a need for basic household items and worked with local charities to secure funding for beds and bedding.

As the family continued to engage with support, we were able to secure additional funding for shoes for both girls and a bicycle to help Millie travel to school. Funding was also raised to extend their therapeutic support into the following academic year.

At the end of the support, both girls and their mum rated our service 10 out of 10.

Their mum said:

"It's helped my kids become confident and settled. It's helped me with things I couldn't provide for the kids due to low funds and taken a lot of stress away from me."

Amy shared:

"It's helped me to grow confident, and I feel settled in my new area, and safe."

Questionnaires completed at the beginning and end of the support also showed positive changes for both girls, including reduced difficulties and improved social skills.

Millie and Amy's story highlights the importance of understanding each family's unique circumstances and providing support that reflects their individual needs. By combining therapeutic support with practical help, we can help create the conditions where children and families can feel safer, more confident and better able to move forward.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.