The charity, which helps local people face incurable illness and bereavement, already offers a free bereavement for all service to adults aged 18 and over in the area who are grieving the death of a loved one, irrespective of the cause or place of death.  

St Helena will provide its bereavement service to children and families primarily face to face, with some support being offered via video consultation for older teenagers where appropriate.  

Lisa Parrish, director of care at St Helena, said:  

“We are delighted we are able to provide this vital service free of charge for children and young people for the next four years following receiving funding from the CCG.  

“Counselling and support to help children and young people cope after the death of a loved one is so vital but sadly there has been no free local bereavement support for children for the last couple of years.   

“Research shows people who suffer bereavement at a young age are at a higher risk of physical and mental health illnesses. Many children experiencing anxiety following a death, they are at an increased risk of suffering with depression and there is growing evidence of a ‘late effect’ of bereavement in childhood, with differences between them and their peers more apparent two years after the death than in the early months. 

“Bereaved children are also more likely to have difficulties at school arising from low concentration, lack of interest or bullying. They also have lower average exam scores than their peers and are more likely to be unemployed at 30. The death of a parent by the age of 26 also increases the risk of a criminal conviction for a violent offence. 

“Whist we cannot protect children from loss, our bereavement service can help them to process their grief and pain, share their feelings, and hopefully help them to live a full life after bereavement.”

The family recently went on a caravan holiday for the first time without Sharon, and while there Jude used a technique he had picked up from his bereavement support session using a little worry person which he had made. Sarah explained: 

“Usually he’d have an ice cream with Nana, but this time we weren’t sure he would because it's a special thing between him and my mum. He really didn't want to at first and then he told his worry person and he said he felt better now. Then we were walking past the ice cream place and he got his little worry person out and he said ‘should we?’ And then he said, ‘yes, I’ve got my worry person, let's have a Nana ice cream’. So he had his little worry person in his pocket and he had his ice cream. 

“It was amazing, and you would think it's just something he's made but oh my goodness, does it give him courage and strength! He said after that he would like to tell his counsellor all about it; he knows that support is there, which is amazing.” 

Whether someone has been bereaved by an accident, suicide, Covid-19, an incurable or progressive illness or the stillbirth or death of a child, St Helena can help, and the bereavement does not have to be recent to receive support.   

Referrals for bereavement support for under 18 year olds can be made by the parent or guardian, a healthcare professional, or by the child if competent to do so. For over 18’s, referrals can be made by the individual, or with their consent, a family member or healthcare professional. To make a referral, please visit www.sthelena.org.uk/bereavement