In a world where the effects of domestic abuse ripple far beyond the home, the Healing Together programme—delivered by Peterborough Women’s Aid through the E-Scape Project—has emerged as a beacon of hope for children and young people navigating the aftermath of trauma.
Funded by the NHS Healthier Futures Fund, this initiative has been quietly transforming lives across Peterborough since April 2024. With over 100 referrals in its first year, the programme is not only meeting a critical need but also setting a new standard for trauma-informed care in educational settings.
Children who experience domestic abuse often carry invisible wounds—emotional, psychological, and physical—that can affect every aspect of their development. Healing Together is designed to meet these children where they are: in schools, in safe spaces, and in moments when they are ready to heal.
The programme doesn’t ask children to relive their trauma. Instead, it equips them to understand how their body and brain is working and provides them with tools to help them to feel safe and calm. Delivered by two dedicated practitioners, the sessions are flexible, compassionate, and deeply impactful.
"In 2024, Peterborough faced a significant gap in services for child victims of domestic abuse within the community. Recognising this need, we successfully implemented the Healing Together programme at our refuge and received NHS funding to extend our reach into schools. The response has been nothing short of extraordinary, with numerous referrals pouring in from primary schools across Peterborough. Through the Healing Together programme, vulnerable and at-risk children have been empowered to understand and manage their emotions using the strategies provided. I wholeheartedly recommend Healing Together to any organisation dedicated to supporting child victims of abuse."
Mandy Geraghty, CEO | Peterborough Women's Aid
The Healing Together programme uses a carefully designed Emotional Awareness Questionnaire to measure progress. Among the 35 children evaluated, the results speak volumes:
One 8-year-old boy shared, “I have had an amazing experience. If you come here, you will have a blast. It is so calming.” Another child, aged 11, said, “It’s amazing, it helped me with everything.”
These aren’t just testimonials—they’re transformations.
The programme’s reach extends beyond the children themselves. Parents, carers, and schools have all reported noticeable changes. One parent shared that their child now removes himself from stressful situations at home and seeks comfort in a blanket—an act of self-regulation learned through co-regulation with the programme facilitator.
Schools too are seeing the difference. Teachers are gaining a better understanding of trauma responses, and children are returning to the classroom more equipped to learn and engage.
In one case, a child who had been suspended returned to school and joined the programme. The result? Renewed confidence, improved behaviour, and a brighter outlook.
The Healing Together programme doesn’t just change lives—it delivers exceptional value. For every £1 spent, the programme generates a social return of £19.91. That’s a powerful argument for continued and expanded funding.
These figures underscore the programme’s long-term benefits—not just for the children, but for society as a whole.The report concludes with a clear call to action: secure long-term funding, expand the programme to reach more children (including in secondary schools), and consider involving parents and carers to reinforce the strategies at home.
The Healing Together programme is more than a service—it’s a lifeline. In a time when statutory services are stretched thin, this initiative offers early, accessible, and effective support to those who need it most.
As one practitioner put it, “It really is amazing to see the difference in the children when they first come in to how they finish off with their sessions. You can see that they’ve got that little toolkit of how to handle situations that they might come up against in the future.”
This is what healing looks like. This is what hope feels like.