Could you briefly describe the support your refuge provides to individuals, particularly those who have benefited from our literacy initiatives?

Cornwall Refuge Trust provides refuge accommodation for women, men, and children escaping domestic abuse. We offer a safe, supportive environment where survivors can begin to heal, rebuild their lives, and regain their independence. Through secure housing, a 24/7 helpline, specialist counselling, and a compassionate team of trained staff and volunteers, Cornwall Refuge Trust empowers individuals and families to move forward with strength, dignity, and hope.

How has Refuge in Literacy UK’s involvement made a tangible difference in the lives of those you work with?

Many of the parents we support face significant barriers to reading with their children, ranging from low literacy levels and lack of confidence to time constraints, mental health challenges, and emotional stress. For some, reading simply wasn’t modelled or encouraged during their own upbringing, or they’ve never been shown how to engage their children with books in a meaningful way.

With our guidance, and through the powerful work of Refuge in Literacy, parents begin to build confidence, develop positive reading habits, and experience the joy of sharing stories with their children, often for the first time.

Refuge In Literacy brings the transformative power of books directly into the lives of families affected by domestic abuse. Reading together in a safe, calm space offers more than just literacy, it provides comfort, connection, and an opportunity for parents to rebuild the nurturing bonds that may have been strained or broken by abuse.

For children arriving in refuge with little more than a few belongings, receiving a book of their own can be incredibly powerful. It not only boosts self-esteem but also creates a sense of ownership, pride, and normality in an otherwise uncertain time.

Can you share any success stories or feedback from those who have used our literacy resources at your refuge?

XX a Russian mother in her early thirties, arrived at Cornwall Refuge Trust with her 5-year- old son, AD, after fleeing a long-term abusive relationship. For years, XX’s partner had exerted controlling behaviour that extended to her parenting, limiting her ability to speak with, nurture, or bond with her son. She was not allowed to read to him, comfort him freely, or make decisions about his care. As a result, XX and AD arrived at the refuge emotionally distant from one another, with a strained relationship and low trust between them.

XX was filled with guilt and self-doubt. She worried she had “failed” as a mother and felt unsure about how to reconnect with her son. English was not her first language, and although she could read basic books, she lacked the confidence to use them as a tool to build closeness with AD. AD, meanwhile, was withdrawn and anxious, struggling to settle and feeling unsure around his mother, who he had not been allowed to rely on emotionally.

Through the support of Cornwall Refuge Trust and Refuge in Literacy UK, XX received a package of age-appropriate, engaging books. With gentle encouragement and reading prompts provided by Refuge in Literacy, XX began reading aloud to AD each evening. At first, she stumbled over some words and was visibly nervous, but staff reminded her that connection mattered more than perfection. Over time, her confidence grew, and XX began snuggling close during reading time, eventually asking for “just one more story.”

In just a few weeks, reading became a cherished part of their daily routine. XX said: “Books gave me back my son. We found our way to each other through stories. I had never been allowed to just be his mum before. Now, I can be.”

XX’s behaviour improved significantly, he became more expressive, began playing with other children, and even started bringing books to his mum, asking her to read.

XX is now working on improving her English literacy further and continues to read with AD every night, even making up their own stories in both Russian and English.

AC + 2 were referred to Refuge via social services out of county, as they were searching immediate safe accommodation following an assault and ongoing domestic abuse. There was a history of physical, verbal, emotional, physiological, financial, and sexual abuse and coercive control.

AC has two children a 2-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. Both children have been exposed to a domestic abusive environment and witnessed their father being physically abusive towards their mother. Both children have been traumatised by the abuse they have experienced; the trauma goes back to Mum’s pregnancy where there was lots of stress and anxiety before the children were even born.

AC 4-year-old son has heightened behaviours and when arriving at refuge he would be very aggressive towards his Mum, staff, and other children. He would use words like ‘bad’ and often during his play it would be violent where he would say ‘die’, ‘’bad’, lock you away’, ‘lock you in prison’. AC was unable to form a relationship to her son as it was forbidden by his father as within the Islamic society, males are seen as superior to females.

AC 2-year-old daughter had an overactive fear system, she was anxious and on-edge, watchful, hypervigilant, and worried her Mum would leave her. She would become emotionally distressed if separated from her.

The family enjoy ‘story time’ where AC read books aloud to her children and uses the birth to nursery age 4 reading prompts to support her in reading to the children. AC uses the building/reading/talking prompts to encourage them to join in with matching sounds and words. This stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. The picture/word association is helping them develop language and listening skills and prepares the children to understand the written word.

We allow children to choose their own book as this child centred approach and decision- making empowers children by giving them choices.

When AC reads to her children you can see from their expression how much they love the connection between them and supporting them to build a secure attachment.

The family enjoy reading together and it provides more opportunities for discussion, developing empathy and attachment. It also positively impacts children’s wellbeing, the benefits of relaxation, time together, the importance of building a routine and a love of reading. Stories are the essential building block of empathy and human connection, and this has worked beautifully in providing AC with emotional attachment towards her children.

What impact have you seen on individuals' confidence, learning, or well-being since our partnership began?

Reading with their children can be a powerful way for parents and carers to rebuild confidence and support their emotional well-being. For many, especially those who have experienced trauma or instability, simply being able to sit and share a story creates a sense of calm, purpose, and connection. As literacy skills improve, so does self-belief, parents begin to feel more capable, valued, and empowered in their role. Reading becomes more than just a learning activity; it’s a meaningful routine that nurtures the parent-child bond, restores a sense of normality, and brings moments of joy, comfort, and mutual trust.

How has our collaboration helped in improving access to literacy support for those who may face additional barriers (e.g., language, disability, isolation)?

By providing tailored, accessible resources such as picture books, bilingual materials, and easy-to-follow reading prompts, Refuge in Literacy made reading feel inclusive for all parents, regardless of their background or ability. Refuge In Literacy’s inclusive approach ensures that no parent is left behind; those who may lack confidence or fluency in English are empowered to engage with their children in a way that strengthens both language skills and emotional connection. For families living in refuge or experiencing isolation, it has created a sense of belonging, boosted self-esteem, and encouraged meaningful moments of bonding.

What would you like to see more of in our partnership moving forward?

I would be keen to see more examples or case studies showcasing how other organisations have successfully used Refuge in Literacy and integrated therapeutic tools that come to life through the power of storytelling and literacy. I’d also welcome more opportunities for collaborative work, where shared learning and joint initiatives can further enhance the impact of literacy in supporting recovery and well-being.

Are there any additional insights or stories you'd like to share that could highlight the significance of our work together?

Our partnership has not only provided tools and resources, but has opened up space for healing, learning, and reconnection. It’s in these small, personal stories that the true significance of our work comes to life.

In what ways has our partnership supported your team, staff, or volunteers in their work with the individuals at your refuge?

Our partnership has been incredibly valuable in equipping our team, staff, and volunteers with the tools and confidence to use literacy as a therapeutic and supportive practice. The resources provided, such as books, reading prompts, and guidance on how to engage families meaningfully have made it easier for staff to introduce reading into daily routines, even with families who may initially feel unsure or reluctant. It’s strengthened our capacity to support families in a more creative, compassionate, and meaningful way.