Dorset charity helps young trauma victims with knitted teddies

Dorset charity STARS put out an appeal for knitted teddy bears in the summer

An initiative to comfort children who have been sexually assaulted has evolved into a fundraising campaign.

Dorset charity STARS (Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services) put out an appeal in the summer calling for people to send in knitted teddy bears.

The organisation has since received almost 500 trauma teddies, which have been given to children during their counselling sessions.

Charity CEO Helen Stevens said demand for the bears is now increasing.

STARS CEO Helen Stevens said the bears help children regulate their emotions

STARS provides counselling and a specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service to children and young people who have experienced sexual violence across the county. Ms Stevens said they first got the idea for the teddies after hearing how they were being used by other services in England to support children.

She said: "They can actually be really calming and comforting when they [children] are struggling to maybe to regulate their emotions after a traumatic event."

The organisation is now calling for more donations as the demand for bears has increased

Since first publishing an appeal for the teddies in a local magazine and on social media, she said STARS has received multiple calls a day with requests for the knitting pattern.

Counsellor Al Stephens said the bears have been helpful during her sessions.

She said: "We have hundreds of young people waiting for counselling, it's something I can give to them at the assessment and while they're waiting they've got something that STARS have given and they can hold.

"Younger children often like to take them home, but they bring them back to the session, so it kind of is a bit of comfort. We might use a few of the teddies to do some kind of play work."

Counsellor Al Stephens gives children a knitted bear for comfort during her sessions

Bobby, a service user whose name has been changed to protect his anonymity, said the bears helped to calm his nerves.

He said: "I think she [Ms Stephens] took on more of a role by helping me mentally because if I was down or if I did something I shouldn't have done, she'd make sure I was OK.

"It was easier to talk to her than my parents or other people.

"Having it [the bear] helped to calm my nerves down so I think it'll be helpful for other people."

The charity offers support to children and young people who have experienced sexual violence

Ms Stevens added: "The reach has been incredible, sometimes it's starting the conversations that are the most tricky things and the teddies break those stigmas, they break those taboos.

"It's just something that makes that person feel special, believed and heard."

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