Bairns Hoose Changemakers - a letter to my recovery worker
We are working with a group of Changemakers - eight girls under the age of 16 - who have been victims and witnesses of crime. This has led them to being interviewed by police and social work, and to give evidence in court. The Changemakers have received trauma recovery support and are helping us to develop our Bairns Hoose.
They have written the following letter, the first in a series, to help highlight what it feels like to be a child or young person who is a victim or witness to crime. They are keen that everyone understands what it feels like to move through the world once you have experienced a significant traumatic experience.
In this first, powerful letter, they explain how important their relationship with their recovery worker is.
To My Recovery Worker,
We need your support from the moment we have told someone what has happened. We need it before we go to be interviewed by the police and social work and before everything becomes out of our hands.
All we want is to be supported by a worker who we know has our best interests at heart because it does not always feel everyone else does. We know that you hear our voice. You are honest with us, and we know what we tell you is private.
You have been there for us on our bad days, our good days, or the days we’re just getting through. You see us for who we are and meet us wherever we are. I never feel like I need to impress you or put on a front. There’s no pressure and I just feel comfortable with you.
I know you want to help my whole family; I am happy when I see you supporting the people I love. I know you want to help keep us together when things are tearing us apart. You show us you are real people; we make each other laugh and you feel like my best pal. Some days all I can manage is a McDonalds in my jammies and you make that OK. Other days you’re with me for my most difficult moments.
If I didn’t have you there would be no one. I would be alone. I worry about other people who have experienced what I have but don’t have you because then who is there? You have helped me process so much and I don’t know how I would have done it without you.
At the end of the day with you I don’t need to be happy or sad, I can just be me.
From The Changemakers
Read more about the work of the Changemakers and find out more about what a Bairns Hoose is and why it is so important to help child victims and witnesses of crime to recover and thrive.