Services for Children, Young People & Parents

One-to-One Therapeutic Interventions

Therapeutic interventions help children understand muddled feelings and upsetting events that they haven’t had the chance to process properly. Rather than having to explain what is troubling them, as adult therapy usually expects, young children use play to communicate at their own level and at their own pace, without feeling questioned or threatened. Young people will have the chance to safely explore their thoughts and emotions through creative arts and pressure-free conversations.

5 to 18-year-olds will work with a specialised Therapeutic Intervention Worker for 8 sessions.

These are usually done at the school or a local sure start centre, between the hours of 9am - 4pm, Monday to Fridays. Excluding bank holidays.

Group Work

We offer a range of specialist group sessions. These are age specific and range from family courses, Early Years groups for parent and child, Helping Hands, Recovery Toolkit and more. Sessions take place after school or during school holidays, online or face to face.

More details can be found by contacting referrals@manchesterwomensaid.org

First 1000 Days (1KD)

The first 1000 days is a unique time, when the foundation of a child’s development is laid. We work alongside families to create and support an environment which is helpful for the child’s development.

We support ethnic minority mothers who are pregnant or have a child under the age of two and their families. Some of the areas we will focus on are:

• The mother’s well-being
• The mother’s relationship with her child
• The family’s support network in their community

We aim to address anything which can impact the mother and child’s wellbeing, which if left unaddressed may stay with children throughout life.

Together we will create a plan with you and your family, to best suit your needs. This could involve:

• Personalised well-being planning for the family
• Using play for mother baby bonding
• Helping the family to form positive links with their community

This is a family-oriented project based in Manchester.

Services for Refuge Residents

Heuristic play

Heuristic play involves exploring a range of objects in different ways and moving around with them in a safe environment. The parent and Therapeutic Play Worker will be present, but the child will be given the freedom to explore these shapes, material, smells, and texture.

This is offered to 0–5-year-old children and parent.       

One-to-One Therapeutic Play Sessions

Therapeutic Play helps children understand muddled feelings and upsetting events that they haven’t had the chance to sort out properly. Rather than having to explain what is troubling them, as adult therapy usually expects, children use play to communicate at their own level and at their own pace, without feeling questioned or threatened.

Therapeutic Play Sessions are delivered at 8 sessions with children 5 years old and up. This is done without the parent present.

Open Play Sessions

All children at their Refuge, from age 5, is invited to the open play session. It is a chance to socialise with other children at the refuge. We recognise that in some cases there may be a delay in the children starting nursery or school. The open play sessions are a great way to play freely and with other children. Parents will not be expected to stay during the open play sessions.

Open play sessions are created to meet the needs of the children at the refuge and are subject to change.

Additional support in Refuge

We have outings, indoor and outdoor activities. We also provide access to online training, linked with Manchester Women's Aid, for parents and children, plus more.

All dates and times are subject to change as we aim to be as flexible as possible working to meet your needs whilst ensuring we provide you with highly trained staff.