Today (Wednesday 22 November) marks six months since the terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena and Nest, Lancashire’s victim support services for children and young people, continues to offer support to victims.
The support service for ten to 18 year olds, delivered by independent charity Victim Support, recently concluded a second series of sessions for young survivors of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack and is encouraging others who may benefit from support to come forward.
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who established Nest Lancashire, said: “We know that milestones like today can bring back traumatic events to those who have experienced them and that sometimes it can be months later before someone realises they may need support. Sessions like these show that support is still available here in Lancashire through Nest.
“Making sure young people can get the support they need following a traumatic event is so important. Anyone who witnessed the events in Manchester that night will be deeply affected by what they have seen and the support Nest Lancashire can offer young people is invaluable in helping them move forward.”
Nest, who ran a similar series of support groups in the area over the summer holidays, coordinated activity days in Preston, Lancashire over the October half-term to continue the help for young people they’ve been working with.
The aim of these support days is to unite the young people from across Lancashire who have been impacted by the Manchester attack, providing them with a safe space to talk to each other about the different ways they’ve been affected.
Adrian Wright, Nest Lancashire Children and Young People’s Service Coordinator, said “It was the first time these children had met each other so we wanted to create an environment for them to interact, build friendships and have fun.”
These sessions also gave parents an opportunity to mingle, have coffee together and engage in the activities taken part by their children.
One parent said “This has just been a fantastic idea to get all the children together and see them all relax and have fun.”
The children said it was a positive experience and that they had felt supported throughout. They said it had helped them to meet other children who had been through similar experiences, and knowing more about the support available to them was very useful.
Among the support sessions activities included ten pin bowling and a pizza making workshop at Domino’s Pizza in Chorley. The young people also worked to create a Peace Wall, which was made up of positive messages written by the participants.
Nest was set up by the Police and Crime Commissioner to support 10 to 18 year olds in the Lancashire area who are affected by crime, harassment or bullying.