Rosie Winterton MP Officially Opens New £40,000 Facilities

Rosie Winterton MP officially opened the new £40,000 facilities at Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (DRASACS) in September.

Over 50 local dignitaries, funders such as Doncaster Council, Rotherham, Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, private sector businesses, representatives from South Yorkshire Police and third sector organisations attended an open afternoon to see the transformation of the charity’s previously undeveloped basement area in its Doncaster town centre premises.

The new facilities include a purpose-built creative and play therapy room, which will be used by adults and children alike, a group therapy / meeting room and waiting room for parents, relatives or carers of clients who need support to attend their sessions.

Explains the manager at DRASACS:

“Clients often find it difficult to talk about their experiences or choose the right words to express how they feel. Creative therapy involves the use of craft materials and imagery to help clients in the therapeutic process.

“Play therapy is used with younger children, from the age of seven, and allows the therapist and child to reflect on feelings being expressed as the child plays. The room also features a beach and forest scene mural painted by local solicitor and DRASACS trustee, David Lister, and a real sand beach with specialist sand play toys.”

Commenting on the new facilities, Rosie Winterton MP, said:

“Charities such as DRASACS play an important role in our community and it is essential that they should be given the support and help they need in order to offer their services.”

Concludes the manager:

“It’s been fantastic to welcome so many people to DRASACS and explain exactly what we’re doing to support those who have suffered rape or sexual abuse. We now have even more space to help even more local people and I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of our funders who have made this possible including Coalfields Regeneration Trust, St James’s Place, Hallam FM / Magic AM ‘Cash for Kids’ and our long term supporters, Rejus, who completed the redevelopment work at cost.”

Pictures by Sean Flannery Photography.