PACT has welcomed new funding from Reading Borough Council to strengthen and expand its Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K) programme, which supports children and families affected by domestic abuse.
The funding will help BB4K meet growing demand in Reading and provide additional capacity for the programme to take part in a pioneering three-year national research study. The study, the first of its kind in the UK, aims to build the evidence on effective ways to prevent domestic abuse and improve outcomes for children who have experienced its impact.
Developed by PACT, Bounce Back 4 Kids uses therapeutically-informed techniques to help children and their non-abusive parent or carer recover from trauma. Through group sessions and occasional one-to-one support, families are given a safe space to process their experiences, build resilience and strengthen relationships. Thanks to the support of individuals and funders, the programme is free for families in Reading and other areas in the Thames Valley.
Kathryn Warner, PACT’s Director of Community Services and Development, said:
“Domestic abuse can have a profound and lasting impact on children, even when they are not the direct target of the abuse. Bounce Back 4 Kids provides specialist, therapeutically informed support that helps children heal from trauma and build resilience for the future.
“We welcome this investment from Reading Borough Council, which will strengthen our ability to meet growing demand and support the first of its kind study that builds evidence of what works best for children and families who have been subjected to domestic abuse.”
The additional funding comes as awareness is raised nationally about the impact domestic abuse can have on children and young people. By supporting both recovery services and research, the investment will help ensure that more families can access specialist therapeutic support while strengthening the evidence base for future services.
Find out more about Bounce Back 4 Kids and how you can also support PACT to reach more children and victim survivors of domestic abuse at www.bounceback4kids.org
