We’re helping support children and young people who are dealing with bereavement.

A new booklet has been co-created with Alex Wray, End of Life Matron at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, in her role as a researcher for The Forest Project, which is run by local charity Fitmums & Friends. The Forest Project gives young people the opportunity to participate in forest activities such as den building, campfire cooking, tool making, tree climbing and forest games, whilst gaining support with their bereavement.

Children with experience of bereavement were also involved with the co-creation of the booklet.

It was given out at a recent event at Castle Hill Hospital to promote the support available for bereaved children and their families. They were able to discover local and national sources of help, pick up practical resources and information, and connect with professionals and community partners working in bereavement care.

Alex said: “The children’s voices and insights have helped shape a compassionate and hopeful resource designed to help others navigate grief with comfort, understanding, and strength.

“At the event, we had lots of different services and it was great to see what we can do to improve bereavement support in the area. Lots of staff came along to get information about how to signpost families. We also met with lots of people who are either grieving, had terminal illnesses or wanted to know how to support children.”

The booklet is very child-friendly and features lots of visuals, as well as interactive elements. An animation has previously been developed as part of this project.

Alex added: “We held some workshops last year with the children to gather their experiences and see what they needed. There was a lot more information they told us that we couldn’t get into the animation. It’s advice from a bereaved child for bereaved children. We’d like to develop a booklet for adults who are supporting bereaved children in the future.”

The booklet will be given out in our hospitals and also provided to GPs and local schools. Alex is looking forward to sharing the project at the Marie Curie Research into Practice Conference next month.