(Image: Keith Blundy)
A Darlington charity that supports women and children fleeing domestic abuse has received a £15,000 grant through Durham Freemasons to help provide therapeutic support for children affected by abuse.
Family Help Darlington, which will mark 50 years of service in October, offers refuge and specialist care to women and children escaping domestic violence.
The funding will be delivered over three years and used to provide therapeutic and early intervention support for children staying at the charity’s refuge.
Emily, Andrew, Carole and Val
(Image: Keith Blundy)
Carole Clarkson, chief executive of Family Help, said: "Supporting children who have experienced domestic abuse takes time, stability, and specialist support.
"This three-year grant enables us to plan ahead and continue providing the safe and nurturing environment they need.
"We are extremely grateful to Durham Freemasons for this support and for recognising the importance of the work we do with children."
Andrew Foster and Carole Clarkson discuss plans for the Durham Freemasons Grant
(Image: Keith Blundy)
The charity began in 1976 when a group of volunteers, including a vicar, doctor, and solicitor, established a refuge in a terraced house in Darlington.
Today, Family Help operates eight self-contained family units in a discreet location, each able to accommodate a mother and up to six children.
The team of eight staff is supported by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Val, vice chair of trustees, who previously served as chair for 15 years and has been a trustee for 20 years, said: "We are family by name and family by nature.
"Staff, volunteers, and clients all come together as one family unit."
The charity supports around 40 women and 80 children in the refuge each year.
More than 60 per cent of those supported come from the North East, and many families choose to remain in the Darlington area as they rebuild their lives.
Children arriving at the refuge often have experienced trauma, disrupted education, and emotional distress.
Family Help offers therapeutic activities, counselling, and specialist support to help them recover, build confidence, and develop coping strategies in a safe environment.
The charity also delivers a Healthy Relationships Programme in schools, teaching children and young people about positive relationships and providing vital early intervention.
Demand for the service remains high.
In the past year, Family Help received 360 referrals, 237 of which involved children.
More than 100 families could not be accommodated due to the refuge being at capacity.
The £15,000 grant is the latest in a growing partnership between Family Help and local Freemasons.
Andrew Foster, deputy head of Durham Freemasons, said: "What is particularly pleasing is how our relationship with Family Help has grown.
"It began with a grant from a local Lodge, progressed to support from Durham Freemasons Charity, and has now resulted in this £15,000 award from our national charity.
"It is another example of Durham Freemasons and Durham Freemasons Charity making a real difference to the lives of people in our communities, with every stage of that support made possible by money donated by Freemasons.
"Most importantly, this funding will help children affected by domestic abuse to feel safe, rebuild their confidence, and begin to move forward with their lives."
The grant was awarded by The Freemasons’ Charity, following an application supported by Durham Freemasons.
The national charity awards grants on behalf of Freemasons across England and Wales, supporting locally identified charities and good causes.
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All funding comes from donations made by Freemasons, their families, and friends.
Family Help depends on grants and donations to maintain its specialist services, supporting families from the moment they arrive at the refuge, throughout their stay, and—if needed—after they move into independent accommodation.
As the charity approaches its 50th anniversary, the grant will help ensure that children affected by domestic abuse continue to receive the specialist support they need to "feel safe, recover, and rebuild their lives".