Posted on November 8, 2017 by Book at Bedtime

We’ve had some lovely feedback from the playworker in Boston – they are finding the bookcase really useful especially over the holidays.

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Book at Bedtime

And more feedback from one of the refuge children’s workers about how helpful the Family Change set of books has been.

The family change set up pack is very beneficial to the children’s workers and children; these are used regularly on a planned 1:1 basis and implemented into our support plans for the children and young people. There is a wide range of books around feelings and emotions and the children will often use these books alongside their worksheets to hear about other children’s stories. This gives the children and young people a wider understanding of what has happened to them and why they may feel the different feelings and emotions they have.

For many children and young people missing their dad is a common factor within the refuge, the book “Talking about domestic abuse with mum” is very helpful as there are worksheets to complete with mum and the children’s worker and these discuss in detail why the family has changed, their relationship with both parents and how all families have different dynamics. Using this book I have noticed recent changes in one of the children’s behaviour’s, Adam aged 9 struggles to talk with his mum about missing dad. During a 1:1 session with children’s worker Adam completed the worksheets around family changes and being able to speak openly and recognise that not all families live together as a family unit helped him to understand more.

Adam now talks positively about both parents, and understands why they do not live together.

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Book at Bedtime

We’ve just seen this great article on an American blog.

“The books we read as children can have a huge impact on the weird humans we eventually become. Our beliefs, aspirations, and morals can all be attributed to the colorful pages we excitedly soaked in during our youth. So, whether you’re buying a book for a friend’s child, your own child, or for yourself (because why not? We would), make it a piece of literature that sustains and empowers women. Because, well, those little messages go a long way.”

If you want to find out which 12 then click here.

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Book at Bedtime

This isn’t why we do what we do but it is great when we get an email like this:

“What a lovely phone call to have on a dreary Thursday afternoon when you offered us a bookcase of books for our refuge. Having just had a look through your website and the wonderful comments from grateful staff and service users, I am sure that the mothers and children we work with would benefit greatly from the Family Change set of books. Our staff would also benefit from the insight the workbooks may offer in communicating with children that are often withdrawn and confused. Thank you from all of us here for the wonderful work you do.”

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Book at Bedtime

We have just received this lovely email from the children’s worker. They have had the bookcase and Family Change set since February of last year.

“Just wanted to drop you a line and update you on how the books are going.

We have had many children come and go since you kindly donated all the books and bookcase to The Liberty Centre.

The children have thoroughly enjoyed borrowing the books and returning them to borrow another.

We have had hours of fun reading together and the mums have enjoyed taking books and reading them to their children.

We are taking very good care of them so they are lasting well.

Thank you for caring and bringing so much happiness.”

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Book at Bedtime

Some lovely feedback from the Skelmersdale refuge: “I have a child who worries all the time about getting things right and not fitting in at school. I have used the books in order to work on his confidence and self esteem. We have introduced a worry monster alongside The Huge Bag of Worries story. We talk about how he feels and then write the worries down on paper and let the monster (Wilbur) eat them away. He loves the story and he loves writing down his worries for Wilbur to eat.”

I think we may have to add a set of these lovely monsters to our Family Change set of books – aren’t they fabulous?!