Mother And Child Domestic Abuse Support
DART Programme
Helping you and your children recover, communicate and rebuild after domestic abuse.
DART programme
DART stands for:
Domestic Abuse
Recovering Together
DART has been developed by NSPCC and is delivered by our experienced team at My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre.
NSPCC and My Sisters’ house understand that experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse can have a long-lasting impact on a child’s development, educational outcomes and mental health.
It can also impact your relationship with them.
How does DART work?
Over ten weeks, mothers and children aged 7-14 meet for a weekly two-hour group session.
You'll meet with a small group of women and children in the same situation as you, working together and separately to unravel the impact of abuse on your family.
Children take part in activities together that help them build their own understanding of domestic abuse and how they’re feeling.
You will learn more about:
Healthy relationships and how to break patterns
Building self-esteem and confidence
Expressing feelings and managing emotions
Strategies that you can use at home
Who is eligible for DART?
our DART course is open for women who are no longer in an abusive environment, and who have children aged between 7-14 years old.
This course is run for a mother and one child. If you have more than one child, you are welcome to chat to the team about completing the course more than once.
Watch a short video from NSPCC explaining DART
You can find out more including evaluations of the effectiveness of the programme and the positive impact on women and their children on the NSPCC website.
Find out more: NSPCC website
Before Applying:
Before you submit your application, please do have a read of our DART Frequently Asked Questions about the application and assessment process, what happens on the course and more.
How to Apply for DART
If you’d like to join the DART programme, or are a professional referring a client, please complete this Referral form.
After receiving your form we’ll arrange to meet you and assess how and if DART can help you.
If you would like more information:
If you have any questions about the programme, what’s involved and what you could gain from taking part, please do not hestiate to contact the DART team direct:
Email DART@mysistershouse.info
Phone: 01243 697800 and ask for the DART Team.
More information about DART:
Letters from past DART clients, to future ones…
Dear Future Group,
You are probably really nervous; I was too when I first started, but I am now really happy and I am really confident. I hope you feel like that by the end of your group and the activities are so fun.
Be confident in yourself!
You’re amazing
You’re so strong.
— Child, DART Client
The to next group,
Don't be nervous, I know I was!!
Keep going, it is hard at first but it's the only course I've been on that talks openly about domestic abuse on a child's level.
It is now not a taboo subject and me an my child can talk about past events and work through them.
My bond with my child is stronger now and I know it will keep getting stronger as long as we keep talking!