Bright Space Opens for Berkshire Women’s Aid
The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children officially opened a Bright Space for Berkshire Women’s Aid on 16th October 2019.
The Bright Space is for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, living in two refuges. The Bright Space has transformed two rooms, providing a communal lounge and homework room, accessible to children and their mothers living in two adjoining refuges.
It provides a comfortable, inviting and child-friendly environment in which children can play, learn, relax and have fun, safe from the threat of intimidation and violence. It also provides an environment in which positive relationships can be developed and families can interact, breaking down the isolation of their experiences, and supporting their recovery.
The Bright Horizons Foundation has provided furniture, resources and equipment; including comfortable family seating and soft furnishings to make the space homely and inviting; and a range of high-quality toys, games, books, and art and craft supplies. Technology company Cisco also donated furniture and their employees volunteered to help prepare the space.
The project was funded by a grant from the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children and by fundraising from the staff and families of the Cisco Bright Horizons nursery for Bedfont Lakes, which raised over £1,300 for the project.
Tracy Wilkes-Green, the Foundation’s Bright Space Manager said, “We are delighted to open this Bright Space for Berkshire Women’s Aid to help children recover from the trauma of their experiences. All of this is made possible by the generosity of our fundraisers, volunteers and donors; and relationships with our partners who use our Bright Spaces to help disadvantaged children.”
Andrea West, of Berkshire Women’s Aid said, “BWA and the families we support are hugely grateful to the supporters and fundraisers who have made this invaluable space a reality. You have given us a safe, welcoming space for children and their mums at a time when they desperately need that care, support and stability. A space so many of us might take for granted enables families to heal and move on to lives free of fear of domestic abuse. Thank you all for helping us to make a real difference.”