posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer, Schools and Learning

News and inspiration from Child Bereavement UK
In this issue: Actor, Jason Watkins, becomes a Patron of Child Bereavement UK

BAFTA award-winning and Olivier Award-nominated stage, film and television actor, Jason Watkins, has become a Patron of Child Bereavement UK.

Very sadly, Jason and his wife Clara’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Maude died of sepsis in 2011. He dedicated his 2015 BAFTA award to her and has actively campaigned to raise awareness of sepsis and its symptoms.

On becoming Patron Jason said:

“The physical and emotional trauma of losing your child is overwhelming, but Child Bereavement UK provides a touchstone that you can access, giving you practical tools to help you carry your loss with you as you move forward.”  Read more…

 

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry host Party at the Palace for bereaved military children

On 13 May, our Royal Patron, The Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, hosted a very special party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace for children of those who have died serving in the Armed Forces.

Child Bereavement UK was proud to take part, providing information and support on the day, along with representatives of other charities that work with military families. Our bereavement practitioners were on hand to provide support, information and guidance, and many families engaged in our ‘memory tree’ activity which gave them the opportunity to acknowledge and remember their special person who had died. Click here to see more pictures from the day

 

 

We have launched two brand new fundraising initiatives this summer to generate support for our work and to raise awareness of child bereavement:

The round £1 coin will cease to be legal tender on 15 October so this summer we want to collect as many old pounds as we can. Do you know of somewhere that may be willing to hold a collection for us? We can provide a tin and leaflets. Each full tin could enable us to train a volunteer to help run our group support sessions for bereaved children. To find out how you can help us with this initiative, please email Ruth

 

Do it for Dad!
Families we have supported tell us that Father’s Day can be a particularly difficult time when a dad, mum, grandparent, baby or child in their family has died. Join us in making this Father’s Day a memorable day for all, recognising the contribution that father figures make to the lives of children and others. Everyone can get involved whether you decide to make, create or just donate –  find out more

 

For professionals

The challenges of supporting parents through the neonatal experience

Our recent bereavement training workshop for professionals working in neonatal care explored how to support families faced with an uncertain future for their newborn.

About the workshop, one Neonatal Staff Nurse said:

‘ Thank you so much for this workshop. Relevant, practical topics and discussions delivered by knowledgeable and passionate facilitators. A workshop that will benefit my future practice and the babies in my care.’

Child Bereavement UK is the leading provider of bereavement training for professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families. Find out more about our training

Complicated Grief study day – save the date
Friday 6 October 2017, London

With Dr Katherine Shear from the Center for Complicated Grief, New York.

Chaired by Psychiatrist and author Dr Colin Murray Parkes.
Click here for more information