Children Heard and Seen

Charity supporting children & families with a parent in prison in their own communities.

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

🚨We are releasing our film 'Invisible Children' this evening at 6.30pm. 🚨
The film can be viewed at this link below:
https://t.co/wdq7Yk8Ve1
This film demonstrates the importance of identification and support for children with a parent in prison. It highlights the need for this issue to be raised in Parliament and for immediate policy change to be enacted.
Thank you to @KerryMP, who will be bringing forward a 10 Minute Rule Bill on parental imprisonment next Tuesday the 21st of May.
Thank you to @Rachel_deSouza for supporting this Bill.

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

Hear Our Voice: Parental Imprisonment in Parliament

Since mid-October, four MPs from across the political spectrum have raised seven important questions in Parliament, on behalf of families supported by Children Heard and Seen, questioning the Government on how children affected by parental imprisonment are identified, protected and supported.

We thank @carla_denyer MP, @alexbrewer MP, @ShivaniRaja_LE MP and @AndrewRosindell MP for bringing these important issues to Parliament.

This is not about party politics. It is about children's rights, their wellbeing and their futures.

At Children Heard and Seen, we know the difference early identification and the right support can make. But recognition must lead to action.

No child should be overlooked simply because their parent is in prison.

Their voices matter. Their experiences matter. Their futures matter.

#ChildrenHeardAndSeen #ChildrenWithAParentInPrison #CWPiPDay

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗻 - 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

Five years ago, Children Heard and Seen launched a pioneering partnership with Thames Valley Police's Violence Reduction Unit, with one simple but powerful aim: to identify children with a parent in prison and ensure they receive the support they need, as early as possible.

What began as a pilot in Oxford City has since expanded across multiple geographical areas, helping more children and families who might otherwise have remained unseen and unsupported.

Because children should never have to face the consequences of parental imprisonment alone.

This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies work together, recognising that early identification can change a child's experience and future.

A huge thank you to Sergeant Russ Massie, his former colleagues at @ThamesVP, and everyone at Children Heard and Seen who has helped turn that original vision into something much bigger.

💚 Five years of partnership. Five years of progress. And a continued determination to ensure no child is left invisible.

Take a look back at the media coverage from when it all began:

🔗 https://t.co/6j0d0D3nyM

#ChildrenHeardAndSeen #ParentalImprisonment #EarlyIntervention #ThamesValleyPolice #operationparamount

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

💚 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 | 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲.

Children and young people affected by parental imprisonment are too often overlooked, unheard and excluded from decisions that shape their lives.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻.

This #YouthWorkWeek, we're celebrating the incredible young people who are turning their lived experiences into a powerful force for change.

At Children Heard and Seen, our Youth Action Group brings together young people determined to challenge stigma, raise awareness and influence the policies and practices that affect children like them.

🎬 Their voices are at the heart of our new film, 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙈𝙮 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚.

Through powerful and moving accounts, children and young people share the realities of having a parent in prison, the challenges they face and what needs to change.

On 25 November, 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we're bringing their voices to a wider audience through the online premiere of Hear My Voice.

💚 Because it's not enough for young people to be heard. Their voices must lead to meaningful change.

🎥 Join us for the online premiere. Hear their stories. Be part of the change.

🔗 https://t.co/NYcMy2QqID

#YouthWorkWeek #HearMyVoice #CWPiPDay #YouthVoice #ChildrenHeardAndSeen

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

💚 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 – C𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲.

Tonight, and every Wednesday, families affected by parental imprisonment come together for an evening of fun, friendship and connection.

These weekly sessions give children the opportunity to build confidence, make friends and feel less alone, while parents and carers benefit from peer support in a safe, non-judgemental environment.

From stargazing and archery tag to cinema nights and pumpkin painting, there's always something exciting happening! And of course, the evening finishes around the campfire with marshmallows! 🔥

💚 If you live in the Thames Valley area, are caring for a child with a parent in prison and would like to join us, please email [email protected]

#ParentalImprisonment #ChildrenHeardAndSeen

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

We welcome this evening @Jess4Lowestoft @jessphillipsmp and @kerrymcmp to our Domestic Homicide Advisory Focus Group. This group membership is 18 adults who have lived experience of domestic homicide / parental imprisonment, whether that’s their experience when they were a child, or are currently caring for a child. We meet virtually. 

The purpose of the group is to campaign to ensure that the rights of children impacted by domestic homicide are not overlooked. This includes campaigning for proper identification and support for children who are bereaved by domestic homicide, and campaigning for Jade’s Law to be fully enacted, and applied retrospectively to existing sentences.
#FemicidesForgottenChildren #dontforgetus #jadeslaw

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

Fun, joy and connectivity.

It’s important for children to have fun and feel a sense of belonging with others who understand. #parentalimprisonment #itwasntme

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

On behalf of Children Heard and Seen, @SarahBurrows100 attended the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy Cherwell regional gathering at Broughton Castle.

Representatives from policing, the voluntary sector, schools, businesses, faith groups and civic leadership attended to discuss domestic abuse. It was an honour to hear domestic abuse survivors tell their story. It was a privilege to listen to @ktbg1 talk about her work on teenage relationship abuse.

There were many interesting conversations on how partners can work better together to prevent domestic abuse, and how we can intervene much earlier.

Thank you for the invitation Sally Scott, the Lord Lieutenant and Deputies, Martin Fiennes - what a wonderful host.

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

On October 29th 2025, we were delighted to premier’ The Children Behind the Headlines’ at Portcullis House. We held it in collaboration with @JRCSFoundation We wanted to shine a light on the importance of children receiving appropriate support when they are impacted by domestic homicide. Sadly it remains that children who are impacted are still unheard and unsupported.

@Jess4Lowestoft kindly sponsored the event.

Jordan and Harry, who feature in the film, were the 2nd and 3rd children we supported as an organisation back in 2014. We are immensely proud of the successfull young men they have become, and appreciative of their support in raising awareness of what is needed for children impacted by domestic homicide. Although our support has grown and developed since then, the issues for children with a parent in prison remain the same.

If you haven’t watched the film please do. https://t.co/9eUsRyAXrr

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

We must listen. We must challenge. We must act.

Children Heard and Seen attended an event at @HouseofCommons which discussed the IDAS Family Court and Domestic Abuse report.

Listening to Claire and Hannah share their heartbreaking experiences was both harrowing and deeply moving. Their stories highlight the devastating consequences when domestic abuse and risk are not properly recognised by the family court system.

Children Heard and Seen was represented by a team member, Carly Rice who said

“As someone with lived experience of the system’s failures, this is deeply personal to me. At Children Heard and Seen, we support families navigating the family court system, offering practical guidance, court support and help to understand what can often feel like an overwhelming process”

But support alone is not enough. We urgently need meaningful reform, better recognition of domestic abuse, robust risk assessments and accountability.

A child’s safety must ALWAYS come before an adult’s expectation of contact.

We must challenge the assumption that contact is always in a child’s best interests, regardless of the risks.

Thank you to Claire and Hannah for their courage in sharing their stories.

We must listen. We must challenge. We must act.

Children deserve a system that puts their safety first. ❤️

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Recent headlines surrounding Meghan Markle and her father have once again highlighted the devastating impact allegations of sexual offences can have on families.

In December 2023, our founder @SarahBurrows100 spoke to @JayneSeckerSky at @SkyNews about the often forgotten secondary victims of sexual offences.

“𝙒𝙚'𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙬, 𝙛𝙖𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧, 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙥.”

Sarah described children unable to return to school, families forced to move home and the shame and stigma they face for something they have had absolutely no involvement in.

𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲.

At Children Heard and Seen, we continue to support children affected by parental imprisonment, including those whose parents have committed sexual offences.

No child should be judged, blamed or punished for the actions of their parent.

🎥 Watch Sarah's interview https://t.co/7mNfj1bqdQ

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮?

When Gemma was just three years old, her mother was murdered by her father. Despite the enormity of what she had experienced, Gemma describes growing up without the safeguarding, protection or professional support she so desperately needed.

Decades later, children affected by #domestichomicide and #parentalimprisonment are still being overlooked. Their experiences remain too often unheard, their needs unrecognised and their voices silenced.

Gemma's story also highlights a deeply concerning issue. Despite killing her mother, her father retained parental responsibility and continued to make decisions about her life.

Jade's Law represents an important step forward in protecting children, but what about those who have already lived through these devastating experiences?

The law is not retrospective, leaving children and families affected by historic cases without the same protections. This is something Children Heard and Seen believes must change.

We are incredibly grateful to Gemma for her bravery in sharing such deeply personal experiences, speaking out about what happened to her and using her voice to advocate for other children.

Our sincere thanks also go to @awilliamsonTV and producer @Naomi_TV for giving Gemma the space to tell her story and helping shine a light on the experiences of children affected by domestic homicide and parental imprisonment.

At Children Heard and Seen, we know that these children must be identified, listened to, protected and supported. No child should have to navigate such devastating experiences alone.

Gemma's story is a powerful reminder of why these conversations matter, and why they must lead to meaningful change.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of *The Affair with Anna Williamson*: https://t.co/mAhPdiaQfM

#ChildrenHeardandSeen #JadesLaw #DomesticHomicide #ParentalImprisonment #HearMyVoice

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

🎬 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗠𝗬 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘 – 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗘

25th November 2026 | 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆

Hear their experiences. Hear their call for change.

Alongside our official film launch at Portcullis House, Westminster, Children Heard and Seen invites you to join the online premiere of 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲.

This powerful new film gives young people impacted by parental imprisonment the opportunity to share their experiences in their own words.

They want their voices to influence national policy, improve how children are identified and supported, and ensure that those coming after them do not face the same gaps in support.

Join us online, hear their stories and be part of the call for change.

🎟️ Book your free place:
https://t.co/p9h7XqXBmD

#CWPiP #HearMyVoice #ChildrenHeardAndSeen

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹.

Today, Parliament debates Paris's Law, following a campaign supported by over 107,000 people.

Paris Shears has used her own experience of domestic abuse to expose how control can continue through the criminal justice system.

At Children Heard and Seen, we recognise that imprisonment does not necessarily end coercive control. Children can remain caught in patterns of manipulation, fear and emotional harm, while the parent caring for them may continue to experience abuse.

Children are victims in their own right. Their experiences must be recognised, their safety prioritised and their voices heard.

Thank you to Paris Shears for turning personal experience into a national call for change, and to Irene Campbell MP @lucydahlia for bringing this debate to Parliament.

We hope today's debate marks an important step towards greater recognition of coercive control and its impact on everyone affected, including children.

📺 Watch live from 4.30pm: https://t.co/Q7vcm4ELQ3

Read Paris's powerful account: https://t.co/bnswN2Rxux

#ParissLaw #CoerciveControl #DomesticAbuse #ParentalImprisonment #ChildrenHeardAndSeen

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣? 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙?”

At the 2026 @womenofyear Awards, Founder and CEO, @SarahBurrows100, received the @lorraine Trailblazer Award for her extraordinary dedication to children impacted by parental imprisonment.

In this powerful extract from her acceptance speech, Sarah asks us to confront the realities faced by children who have witnessed domestic abuse, violence and unimaginable trauma.

“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢?”

With 𝟱𝟯% of children identified as being at risk of harm from their imprisoned parent, we must stop assuming that maintaining family ties is always in a child's best interests.

Every child's safety matters. Every experience deserves to be recognised. Every voice deserves to be heard.

🎥 Watch Sarah's full acceptance speech here: https://t.co/UvTjepPpzu

#ChildrenHeardAndSeen #WomenOfTheYear #LorraineTrailblazerAward #CWPiPday

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

🏆💜 We are absolutely delighted that Children Heard and Seen’s Founder, @SarahBurrows100, was named the winner of the @lorraine Trailblazer Award at yesterday’s Women of the Year Awards!

This recognition is not only a celebration of Sarah’s incredible work, but another opportunity to shine a light on children impacted by parental imprisonment, whose voices too often go unheard.

A huge thank you to @womenofyearear, Lorraine and everyone involved in making the event so special.

Congratulations to all the other incredible winners! It was a privilege to be surrounded by so many inspirational women, all making a difference in their own way.

We couldn't be prouder! 💜

#WomenOfTheYear #LorraineTrailblazerAward #ChildrenHeardAndSeen

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

🏆 𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗛 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! 🏆

What a morning. ❤️

Our Founder and CEO, @SarahBurrows100, walked into the @lorraine @ITV studio this morning believing she was one of three finalists.
She walked out as the 2026 winner of the 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 @womenofyear 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

For more than a decade, Sarah has fought to make sure children with a parent in prison are recognised, heard and supported.
Speaking to Lorraine this morning, Sarah said:

“𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮.”

Children Heard and Seen began around Sarah’s kitchen table in 2014. Everything that has grown from there has only been possible because of the strength and courage of the children and families we support, who have trusted us with their experiences and helped shine a light on an issue that has remained hidden for far too long.

And, of course, alongside them are our incredible staff, volunteers, supporters and partners who have shared Sarah’s determination to create change.

Today, that national spotlight is shining a little brighter.

We could not be prouder of you, Sarah. ❤️🏆

#Lorraine #WomanOfTheYear #TrailblazerAward #ChildrenHeardAndSeen

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

Parental imprisonment rarely exists in isolation. It can sit alongside domestic abuse, sexual offending, trauma, bereavement and other complex experiences.

That’s why our support isn’t one-size-fits-all.

At Children Heard and Seen, we create highly specialised peer, therapeutic and lived-experience spaces, including:

💜 Trauma Recovery following Domestic Abuse
💜 Holding the Child, Healing the Parent – for parents/carers facing a future of raising or sharing a child with someone who has committed a sexual offence
🎨 Therapeutic Art Groups – delivered by trained Drawing and Talking practitioners
🎮 Therapeutic Minecraft – using a safe digital ‘sand tray’ to help children explore their worlds and experiences
💜 Domestic Homicide Lived Experience Focus Group – ensuring lived experience directly shapes how services are developed and delivered

Because sometimes finding the right support means finding a space where you don’t have to explain why your experience is different.

A space where you are understood.

[Children Heard and Seen @ChildrenHandS]

🐾 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻! 🌍

This week, children and young people in 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 began a brand-new six-week Animal Explorers project, bringing together those who share the experience of having a parent in prison.

Through animals and the natural world, they’ll explore habitats, ecosystems, conservation and the impact of climate change, building STEM skills through research, design, budgeting, problem-solving and creativity. 🌱🔬🎨

Just as importantly, they’re connecting, creating, laughing and having fun in a space where parental imprisonment is understood and doesn’t need to be hidden or explained.

Their experience of parental imprisonment is part of what connects them — but it doesn’t define who they are or what they can become.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄? 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲. 💙🐾

#ChildrenHeardAndSeen #ParentalImprisonment #CreateAndConnect #AnimalExplorers #STEM #Conservation