New Blossom | A Way Out

supports girls and young women aged 13-26 years who experience stigma, poor mental health and have multiple unmet needs and/or disadvantages to build resilience, prevent abuse, harm and exploitation.

The team are seeing a common trend around toxic masculinity and a need for work with boys at secondary school age, educating them to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.

Evidence shows that for many boys anger is the only acceptable emotion which is often used to cover a more powerful emotion such as sadness or shame. Being encouraged to suppress all other emotions can interrupt the emotional development of boys which can have a huge negative impact on their mental health. In general men report less depression than women but complete suicide at a much higher rate. There is a huge need for boys to be taught how to safely express all their emotions not only their anger.

Through working in partnership with Dr Helen Williams of Sunderland University, a report has been pulled together to highlight the need for this work. This provides the evidence needed to strengthen our plans for a boy’s pilot to address this need.

Please click the link to read the report:

PROFESSIONAL FEEDBACK

"Brothers who were extremely chaotic, are now settled and calm in the sessions"

MAKE A REFERRAL

CASE STUDIES

Katie* was referred to the Blossom programme due to a fractious relationship with her mother, experiencing physical abuse as a child - changing to emotional abuse as she has grown. She struggles managing day to day relationships.

Katie has engaged in work around health relationships, healthy boundaries, stress awareness and management and resilience training, engaging well with the sessions.

She has reported a new outlook on the relationship she has with her mum and understands that her mum's behaviour is not okat, but more importanlyu that she cannot control her mum's behaviour and this is okay as she does have control over many other things in her life.

Katie reported that her mum's behaviour no longer affects her as much emotionally because of this new understanding and she feels better able to manage this day to day.

* name changed

Leo* was referred after having witnesses domestic violence at home, he has had social care involvement and was displaying violent behaviour.

Initially, Leo was disruptive and aggressive towards the other children in the group and persistently wanted to fight. He repeatedly shouted and kicked, often throwing objects around the room and repeatedly giving answers that involved hurting someone in some way.

Taking part each week, Leo increasingly engaged in discussions and activities around decision making, safety planning, the importance of expressing feelings and emotions, toxic friendships, grooming, peer pressure and the effects of violence - all while learning calming techniques and healthier ways to act on any triggers.

Over the course of the program, Leo had very positive changes in his behaviour. Although he continues to be frustrated and angry over other's actions and behaviour, instead of acting on impulse he feeds back on how he is feeling. He opened up about his home life and is continuing to improve.

*name changed

CLIENT QUOTES

"I'm so grateful to have you to talk to"

Updated August 2024