How Spiral helps
Our children and families team provides emotional support to children and young people affected by bereavement and domestic violence. We help children like Scott, who is 10 years old, who lost his dad suddenly after a heart attack.
Scott was having difficulty sharing his thoughts and feelings at home. The only way he could express himself was through anger, continually shouting at his mother and sister, hitting out and becoming out of control.
Eight months after the death of his father, Scott was referred to Family Care by his mother and Scott began some emotional support sessions through the initial "Time 4 U" programme. Through these sessions, Scott began to open up about how much he missed his dad and the special time he had with him through music and watching football (both big Notts County fans). These fun activities had stopped following the death of his dad.
We began to use drums in the sessions and also for the first time set up links with Notts County football club which helped with some memory work. Watching and playing football, as well as having a tour of Notts County’s ground, allowed Scott to connect with his feelings in a way that made sense to him. We worked together on a photo collage which included a picture of his dad as the central image. This was then surrounded with a lovely memorial piece of work which he now has to keep and can reflect on over time.
Family Care continues to have contact with the family and all parties are happy with the progress that Scott has made. Mum wrote:
"The staff at Family Care have been absolutely wonderful to both me and my family. It is an organisation that helps people in their darkest hours, particularly hurt, brokenhearted children. Through skill, dedication and kindness, they help put these children back together. I will be forever grateful for how you have helped my children to come to terms with the loss of their beloved dad".
