At the Bath Centre of Trauma Recovery UK, a black paint stain on the carpet tells a powerful story. This mark, one of founder Betsy De Thierry MBE’s favorite reminders, was left by a teenage girl who had suffered unimaginable abuse. In a moment of anger, the girl spilled black paint during an art therapy session and declared, “Now you’ll never forget me!” Betsy smiles as she recalls, “And I never did.”
The centre’s greatest challenges often come from the outside. On two occasions, bricks have been thrown through its windows — acts of anger from parents furious over accusations of child abuse. While bricks can shatter glass, they can’t break the centre’s mission. To deter future attacks, Betsy has lined a window ledge with small dolls, a gentle reminder that everyone, even those who cause harm, has an inner child that deserves care.
Betsy’s qualifications to lead such a vital initiative are exceptional. With over 30 years as a psychotherapist, she has authored numerous books on trauma recovery and trained thousands to support survivors. Today, Trauma Recovery UK operates four centres in Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, and Guernsey, specializing in helping children and young people heal from physical and sexual abuse, grooming, trafficking, and neglect.
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The centre also supports families experiencing secondary trauma—the complex pain that arises when coping with their child’s suffering. Facilities are designed to feel welcoming and safe: upstairs offers soft play areas, dollhouses, musical instruments, and a castle climbing frame, while downstairs provides games like pool, table football, and basketball for older kids.
Above all, Betsy’s vision was to create a sanctuary—a safe space for children who may have never known safety before. Unlike many services that limit the number of sessions, Trauma Recovery UK keeps its doors open to all referred children. “We never say no,” Betsy affirms.
Years after starting support, one former service user, who was once just waist-high to Betsy, returned to visit—now standing a towering 6 feet 1 inch.
Despite its warmth, Freedom House—the affectionate name for the Bath centre—requires high security. Threats forced Betsy to leave Bath and go into hiding, and the Home Office funds a protective fence around the building. It’s distressing that such a nurturing place inspires fear and hostility, yet the team remains steadfast.
This year marks fifteen years of Trauma Recovery UK providing safety and hope to young people denied it elsewhere. Their dedication will not waver anytime soon.