PACT’s Brighter Christmas Appeal
Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year for many but for those who have experienced trauma, Christmas can be a difficult time.
PACT has a mission to help children, families and women affected by trauma enjoy a Christmas that is a little brighter this year.
Together, we can give a little light to those who need it most in our communities.
Please donate today.
Give a little light to families like Lisa*, Paul* and Timmy’s* this Christmas
Lisa’s family was supported by PACT’s adoption support team
Lisa, Paul and their adopted son Timmy are a family of three. They brought Timmy home in April 2015 when he was 15-months-old.
When Timmy first came home, he was scared and unsettled, easily losing his temper and becoming violent and aggressive. Unfortunately, things did not improve and five years down the line, Timmy was showing worsening behaviour.
The couple contacted PACT and were referred to the Adopter Champion service in early 2020 where they were matched with Adopter Champion Mark. They received monthly calls from Mark. PACT also provided extra support to the family.
Lisa said:
“It has truly saved my family! We now have a wonderful little boy who enjoys spending time with his family, and comes to us for comfort. At home now we are not just surviving, we are thriving.”
Learn about all the ways Mark supported Lisa, Paul and Timmy and how the family are doing now:
Give a little light to women like Kayla* this Christmas
Kayla was supported by our Alana House women’s project
Kayla was referred to Alana House in 2021. Kayla needed support for her financial situation as well as for her physical and mental health; she had been feeling suicidal and self-harmed daily. Her low self-esteem impacted her ability to complete basic daily tasks.
Kayla began attending one-to-one sessions with a support worker at Alana House on a weekly basis and several key objectives were set out, including practical financial steps and attending relevant Alana House groups. Kayla began going to ImproVoice, an eight-week drama workshop to improve self confidence, interpersonal skills and conflict resolution.
Alana House Team Leader Lynda said:
“I often think Christmas is a valuable time to pause and reflect on the life altering and positive differences our service users have made, and are maintaining, since last Christmas, with their mental health, safety, employment, and self-esteem, to name but a few! It is an absolute privilege to walk alongside these women, and their strength and determination provides a great sense of motivation for the team going into 2025.”
Read more about how Alana House helped Kayla get to a heathier and happier point in her life:
Give a little light this Christmas to a family recovering after domestic abuse
Jade* and her three children were supported by Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K)
Jade is a mother of three children: Hanna*, Lucas* and Milo*. Jade and her children were referred to PACT’s BB4K programme in 2021 after leaving her ex-partner following domestic abuse and stalking. They needed support to recover from the long-term effects of the abuse.
Jade and all three of her children accessed trauma recovery support from BB4K. Jade attended BB4K’s BOOST Self-esteem group, a workshop for parents that covers topics like confidence, self-worth and not blaming yourself.
Jade said she found the whole experience of receiving support from BB4K to be
life-changing:
“BB4K gave us our magic back at Christmas.”
Find out how BB4K supported Jade’s whole family:
*All names have been changed for confidentiality
What your donation could buy…
£10 could pay for materials to help a child explore their feelings through art therapy
£20 could pay for a Christmas food hamper for a family fleeing domestic abuse
£30 could pay for a peer support session for a family with an adopted child suffering anxiety, delivered by a trained Adopter Champion
£50 could pay for a child who has witnessed or been affected by domestic abuse to attend a Bounce Back 4 Kids play therapy session to help them manage their feelings and break the cycle of domestic abuse.
