HELP is at hand for local children affected by domestic violence through Friends with Dignity’s Little Friends Scholarships, which opened on June 21.

Young people aged between five and 18 can gain up to $500 to help them with their education or to participate in extra-curricular activities that they can’t pursue because of the financial impact of domestic and family violence.

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Program manager Jaqui Brosnan said the scholarships are another way that Friends with Dignity helps children affected by domestic and family violence to go on and live happy, healthy, and inclusive lives.

“Sometimes kids need help with the basics of school fees, uniforms, a laptop, textbooks or school supplies – expenses which can all add up,” Ms Brosnan said.

We also find that students can miss out on excursions or camps which are an important place for kids to maintain friendships and to learn new skills,” she said.

“Our scholarships have also helped kids with the cost of participating in sport, music or the arts.”

“One scholarship helped to buy a violin for a little girl.

“Any time she heard music she was reduced to tears because her father had played loud music while being violent towards her mother.

“She is now enjoying and playing music herself.”

This is the ninth round of scholarships which are issued twice a year.

To date, $194,775 has been given out to 394 young people.

Ms Brosnan said the scholarships are possible thanks to generous sponsors and donors.

“We would welcome more scholarship supporters because applications always exceed the amount of funds available.”

Applications close July 16 and the scholarships will be awarded from the end of July.

To apply visit www.friendswithdignity.org.au.

Friends with Dignity is a volunteer-based charity which works with refuge and crisis centres to offer practical programs to help survivors of domestic violence to rebuild their lives with purpose, dignity, and hope.

As well as scholarships, its Sanctuary Program transforms houses into sanctuaries for people escaping violence. It also provides monitored personal safety devices for women and men escaping violence as well as toys and activity packs for children impacted by violence.

Friends with Dignity last month received a Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation grant to assist with the delivery of the Sanctuary program in the Hunter.