Bright Spaces, created through the nursery group’s charity, aim to provide warm, safe and enriching play environments for vulnerable children affected by abuse, domestic violence, parental imprisonment and mental health.
The latest Bright Space is based within Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Havant Suite – four rooms have been transformed into homely and welcoming environments with soft furnishings and resources such as art and craft supplies, relaxation toys and books. It is the 18th Bright Space that has been installed in a police authority ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) suite and the third for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary specifically.
In total, the charity has created more than 85 Bright Spaces across the UK since it was established in 2005.
Bright Spaces are supported and sustained by Bright Horizons employees, led by an employee volunteer referred to as a Bright Space Connector. Connectors take the lead managing the relationship with the authority where the Bright Space is located.
DC Jenni Dalziel, Specialist Investigations (CAIT), said, ‘The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children helped to transform our Victim & Witness Interview suites at our Training Headquarters at Netley. Those Bright Spaces have made such a difference to supporting children and vulnerable adults when they need it most. We were delighted to embark on this latest project with the Foundation to create a further Bright Space. Being able to offer a safe environment ensures they are not overwhelmed whilst giving evidence and means they get a fairer opportunity of achieving justice.’
Tracy Wilkes-Green, the Foundation’s Bright Space Manager, added, ‘We are delighted to have opened this new Bright Spaces for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. Children who are having to spend time in an Achieving Best Evidence suite will be going through trauma. We hope this new Bright Space will help to be a safe environment where their healing can begin.’