Children’s Services
We’re here to help children cope after the death of a loved one. Whether that is through one-to-one play-based sessions, family support or by liaising with schools, we help children develop lasting positive coping strategies.
We can work with children from around age three in one-to-one sessions at our child-friendly and welcoming Rainbow Room located on the ground floor of the Hospice offices in Hexham.
To help children feel comfortable to explore their emotions and process grief, we use a range of different activities such as making memory boxes, books and sand jars, crafts, playing games and even taking part in external group activities. We use active listening to work through feelings that arise from a bereavement. Our aim is to help children build continuing bonds with their loved one after a death and encourage them to develop coping strategies they can use as they grow and their grief changes.
Our family group sessions are designed to help parents/carers as well as children, communicate their feelings with each other after a bereavement. Children may feel more open to sharing their thoughts and emotions in this way, without the fear of upsetting a parent. Parents and carers also benefit by understanding how grief can manifest differently in children. Children often ‘puddle jump’ through their grief- hopping in and out of sadness to manage their emotions. This can be confusing for parents and carers. Our Family Support Practitioners help families to take comfort knowing their feelings and behaviours are normal.
It can be really difficult for a parent or carer to find the words to relay information about the death of a loved one to children, in fear of telling them too much or too little, whether it is the right time to tell them and what actually to say. Being open and honest in an age-appropriate way with children is the best approach to take and we can help parents, carers and even teachers to plan and prepare for these conversations, given them confidence to handle them sensitively.
Resources for School
Childrens Services
At a glance
Help develop coping strategies
For Children aged 3+
Support for schools
Play-based and activities
Eligibility criteria
Do you qualify?
Children registered at one of the GPs in our West Northumberland catchment are eligible to access the service whatever the cause of death or who has died.
Contact us for an introductory session to establish your needs. We’ll then allocate a practitioner or service best suited to you.
01434 600 384
familysupport@tynedalehospice.com
