These groups provide peer-group support to give young people a safe place to talk about their feelings. The groups help those who have suffered a significant trauma through abuse, whether it be: sexual, physical or emotional.

Since it is necessary for emotional healing to take place after a trauma, the purpose of the groups is to provide those hurting with an opportunity to share their feelings in a safe environment. The aim is to furnish the young people with an understanding of their new family unit; to assist in building a stronger sense of self-esteem and to direct them towards a healthy resolution of the changes that have taken place in their personal lives.

Pictures are used; the pictures tell a story and how the young people interpret those pictures depends on their life experience. The pictures help with the ‘theory of the mind’; you find out what the young people are thinking – not what you think they are thinking. As pictures are used and not words, the young people talk about the characters and how they might be feeling, therefore they are non-threatening. You are not asking questions about the person; you are asking questions about the characters. They are allowed to change their mind about what is happening in the picture; there is no right or wrong answer. They take ownership of their story.

The groups take away the stigma of isolation, allowing each young person to identify with each other’s trauma; feelings; experience and the resultant emotional/psychological pain and isolation. Over time the young people begin to speak about their own lives and not the characters. They are able to talk about their fears, worries, confusions without judgement, but with empathy and encouragement.

These groups have a structured approach to well-being, guided by the experience of the young person. There is no embarrassment of issues discussed, as they are led by trained and emotionally mature adults. The pictures used allow you to start those conversations, about different forms of abuse and other experiences which can result in mental health or attachment problems.

Central to this approach is an agreement of confidentiality, whereby nothing is repeated outside of the group – unless there is a safeguarding concern. The young person will be told of the importance of the care they need and why the confidentiality is set aside. Consent and agreement with parents or carers are reached before commencing the work.

These support groups have a proven benefit and positive effect on attendance, learning and behaviour. Additional benefits can range from raising of attainment, to skills for life.