A London charity has received over £100,000 for a programme tackling child-on-parent violence (CPV) to expand across the capital.

City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, has given the funding to charity Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP), based in Hammersmith & Fulham.

The £103,800 will go towards developing the charity’s Yuva programme, which addresses child-on-parent violence, to ensure the service is offered to parents and children throughout the capital. The programme involves group sessions for parents to support them in managing their child’s behaviour and to ensure a safe home environment, as well as one-to-one interventions looking at behavioural change and awareness sessions about CPV.

Yuva offers confidential support for young people aged 11-18 who want to change their behaviour and have healthier relationships. It helps young people to look at their abusive behaviour and find safe, non-abusive alternatives.

The charity is one of only two organisations in London providing services addressing child-on-parent violence and is unique in the way it works with young people and their parents, supporting them to have healthier and safer relationships.

Alison Gowman, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust Committee, commented:

“There are parts of London where this service is not yet available and could really make a difference to many families’ lives. This funding will allow more people to access this specialist support.

“These services are helping families have stronger, healthier relationships with one another and really make a difference to the everyday lives of parents looking to change their child’s behaviour.

“City Bridge Trust is committed to making the capital a better place to live, for all Londoners.”

Viji Rajagopalan, Yuva Manager at Domestic Violence Intervention Project, added:

“Every week the service is approached by parents and professionals across London desperate for support.

“This grant will mean that young people who are using violence and abuse will have a chance to learn how to express their anger and frustration non abusively and safely.”

City Bridge Trust is London’s biggest independent grant giver, making grants of £20 million a year to tackle disadvantage across the capital. The Trust has awarded around 7,700 grants totalling over £370 million since it first began in 1995. It helps achieve the Corporation’s aim of changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Londoners

Notes to editors

1. Quotes from service users:

“I can discuss things with my family now, it feels better, I’m not so angry.”

“It has helped me to be a calmer person and know when to let things go.”

“Thank you for your help, you seem to understand the situation better than anyone, I feel able to take control now.”

“This is the only one that’s had an impact on him, the only one, he wouldn’t even engage with the other services.”

1. About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.

Media Enquiries

Kristina Drake

Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

07710860884 / 020 7332 1125