​High Peak children benefit from BBC Children in Need funding

Are you doing anything to support Children in Need today? Whether you are sitting in a bath of beans, baking cakes, or donating £1 to dress as a superhero, your cash could be supporting children right here in the High Peak.

Crossroads Derbyshire (formerly High Peak Women's Aid) is one of the many charities around the UK to receive funding from BBC Children in Need. The charity covers the whole of the High Peak, and works with over 500 families each year who are escaping domestic abuse.

BBC Children in Need has been funding the Me2 project for four years, and is committed to do so for another two years. Crossroads Derbyshire receives almost £40,000 each year to fund our team of trained children's workers and all the costs involved in running the project.

Me2 is an interactive and fun 12 week learning programme for children and young people aged 5-15 years who have been affected by domestic abuse. Derbyshire Children and Young Adults Services have reported dramatic increases in the numbers of children affected by domestic violence in recent years, particularly across High Peak communities. In 80% of domestic abuse cases children are in the same or next room when the violence takes place.

Through Me2, the charity delivers weekly sessions offering a range of activities designed to help children and young people learn about positive relationships and break the cycle of abusive relationships.

“My son has learned how to control his behaviour understand boundaries and learned how to deal with anger and frustration” Parent of Me2 participant

One young girl locally who has benefited from the work funded by Children in Need is Amy (not her real name). Amy is 13 and lives with her mum and sisters in Derbyshire. She witnessed repeated violence from her dad until he left the family home when Amy was 12. She was very concerned that her dad might turn up and be abusive to her mum, and she often missed school so she could protect her mum. Thanks to our intervention, Amy has grown in confidence and her attendance at school has improved. She is now a mentor for younger children who need support.

Pam Whittle, Services Manager for Crossroads Derbyshire, said: “We are so grateful to BBC Children in Need and all the people who are supporting them today. Without them we couldn't deliver this vital service to children in the High Peak who have experienced domestic abuse in the home.”

To find out more about the charity, or if you have any concerns about abuse in the home, you can visit www.crossroadsderbyshire.org or call the county domestic abuse helpline on 0800 019 8668.