Meet Chad

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Chad* was first referred to us two years ago by Children’s Services at the age of 7. He had experienced significant trauma, including neglect and physical abuse, and was living with his grandmother due to both parents struggling with substance misuse.

At the time, Chad’s needs were acute. He was attending school for just two hours a day, and several local services were unable to support him due to the severity of his behaviour. His grandmother shared, 

“I’m struggling to cope, he’s constantly rejected everywhere we go.”

When Chad first joined our programme, he found it extremely difficult to engage. He was overwhelmed in group settings and would often respond physically, including kicking and spitting at adults and other children. He struggled to regulate his emotions and found transitions particularly challenging.

We adapted our approach to meet his needs, with a key breakthrough coming when Chad’s sibling joined us as a volunteer. Having a trusted and familiar adult alongside him, who understood his triggers and could support him through moments of distress, made a significant difference. This consistency helped Chad feel safer and more settled, leading to a reduction in his tantrums and physical outbursts.

Over the past two years, Chad has made strong progress. He has moved from one-to-one support into small group activities and is now able to attend full days and complete entire holiday projects, something that was previously not possible. He now engages in a wide range of activities, his favourite being swimming, and is building more positive relationships. 

Chad continues to need support and can still provoke other children in competitive situations, but staff are working closely with him to develop healthier ways to engage and regulate.

When we last spoke to his grandmother, she shared, 

“I cannot express how grateful I am for everything that you have done. I feel like I can breathe and have a moment to myself. It’s just been me doing everything for the last few years. It’s nice to see him come home happy and to hear that he has had a good day.”

This journey has strengthened our practice, reinforcing the importance of consistent relationships and tailored support for children with complex trauma.

We will continue to support Chad through mentoring and holiday provision, with a long-term goal of allowing him to confidently attend and fully participate in our trip-based projects.

*Chad – name changed.