Children 1st is Scotland’s National Children’s Charity. We help Scotland’s families to put children first, with practical advice and with support in difficult times. And when the worst happens, we support survivors of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic events in childhood, to recover. Children 1st involve hundreds of volunteers across Scotland in a variety of different roles. These include fundraising, befriending, family support and gardening, amongst other things!In the Scottish Borders, our Abuse and Trauma Recovery Service is available for Children and Young People who have experienced sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse and where there is an impact of parental behaviour.

Our staff use a range of therapeutic skills such as art, play and other forms of creative communication, to help children make sense of their experiences and encourage them to develop trusting relationships with safe boundaries. We also help families to understand the impact the abuse/trauma and loss has on their child and their family, helping to keep them safer.