Safety, empowerment, and confidence through play and volunteering

Children & youth

Jun 21

Who: Save The Children

What: A breathing space for children at crisis centres.

Project period: 2023-2024

Web: Save the Children Norway

The project aims to establish a safe and stimulating environment for children residing at crisis centres due to violence and threats in close relationships. Many of these children experience traumatic events and may be in vulnerable situations. The goal is to provide regular and safe activities together with Save the Children volunteers, allowing children to experience a sense of safety, empowerment, and confidence, while creating a break from the challenges of their daily lives

Objectives and Target Audience

The overarching goal of the project is to contribute to a safe space for play, development, and activity for children at the crisis centres. Specific objectives for the project in 2023 and 2024 include:

1. Establishing 14 groups of volunteers to conduct regular activities with approximately 450 children and their parents at 12 crisis centres.

2. Resuming activities and exploring opportunities to reach the same level of engagement as before the pandemic.

3. Enhancing existing groups with a focus on quality, volunteer support, and inclusion of children with disabilities.

4. Providing training and professional development for volunteers, both locally and nationally, with an emphasis on motivation, competence, and relevant tools. The target audience for the project is families either residing at or recently departed from crisis centres.

Implementation

The project will be carried out by offering various activities for children through Save the Children volunteers. Twelve volunteer groups, including two “grandparents” groups, have been established to conduct regular activities with the children, both at the crisis centre and, when security permits, outside the centre. The activities range from introducing family friendly places in the local community, to physical activities in the outdoors that challenges and fosters a sense of achievment, to hobby activities, baking and play. The activities are tailored to the children's needs and focus areas, and the volunteers are present to support, praise, and provide positive feedback along the way.