Bereavement

Bereavement

Death is a normal part of life, we all know that at some point all of us will die, but that doesn’t make it easier to deal with when someone you love dies, especially if that death is unexpected or traumatic.

We all grieve in different ways and that the sadness, anger, frustration and tears can all be part of the normal process, and that one of the key ways of working through the grief is finding a safe space to talk about these feelings.

Many bereavement services provide support both before death and afterwards, recognising that the grief process often starts when you know someone is going to die, before they have died, and it is important to get support during this time to help you make the best of the time you have left together.

Below are links to local and national organisations who are able to offer support and advise to families.

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK’s service in Birmingham has been generously funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Based in West Heath, the service offers online, face-to-face and group support for bereaved individuals, couples and families. It also works in community centres and schools in the local area, as well as providing guidance and signposting. In addition, the charity works alongside existing support services in the region to help improve outcomes for bereaved families, providing training for professionals to ensure bereaved people are well supported wherever they first seek support.

The Child Bereavement UK's website is a wonderful source of advice, it lists recommended resources such as books which can help a child understand their feelings as well as short videos which explain how we grieve. Some have been shared below.

Understanding How Children Deal with Grief This short animated film aims to help adults understand how grieving children can seem to move in and out of their grief, a bit like they’re jumping in and out of a puddle.

Understanding Grief and how to Manage it. The animated short film is designed to help bereaved children and families to understand their grief and how to manage it. Based on The Invisible Suitcase by Ian Woodroffe, the film uses the metaphor of an invisible suitcase to show how we all carry our experiences and emotions through life. None of us can control how our ‘suitcase’ is packed and when it might spring open, with our emotions being triggered sometimes when we least expect, but we can learn how to react when this happens.

Birmingham Hospice - Children's Healing and Therapeutic Support (CHATS) Team The Children’s Healing and Therapeutic Support (CHATS) Team at Birmingham Hospice provide confidential emotional support for children and young people when a loved one is poorly or if they have died. CHATS offer one-to-one sessions with children and young people to help them explore and express their feelings. They have a designated Children’s Room at the Selly Park site for the sessions and, where appropriate, also offer home and school visits. They run support groups for children, young people and families who have loved ones receiving care from the charity. This provides an opportunity for both you and your child to experience peer support and talk to others who are in similar situations. The team can support and guide you in how and when to talk to children, offering strategies to enable better communication within families.

CHATS.pdf

Beyond the Horizon

Edward's Trust

Winston's Wish

NHS Advice

Cruse Bereavement Support