Derbyshire charity, Treetops Hospice, is offering local primary schools training, practical activities and resources on how to support bereaved children when a loved one dies.
The training, taking place on Wednesday 3 May, upskills school staff to understand how children comprehend death at different ages, and what helps children and families deal with a significant loss. Training topics include how to recognise common emotional and behavioural reactions to a bereavement, the appropriate language to use with children of differing ages, and grief models.
Treetops Therapeutic Services Manager, Jules Kirk, explained more:
“Schools play an important part in every child’s life and in supporting the key events that affect their lives. Supporting children after any trauma, including the death of a loved one, is vital.
“Our training gives staff the skills, tools and confidence in how to tackle these difficult situations and support distressed children in a safe and appropriate way.”
Staff from Hallam Fields Junior School in Ilkeston attended the training earlier this year.
Sarah Carr, Assistant Head, explained how ‘invaluable’ the training was:
“Sadly, we have seen an increase in the number of pupils who have experienced significant loss in recent years and we work closely with these families to support them in any way that we can.
“This training ensures all our staff feel confident and empowered to give the right care and attention to our bereaved children on their return to school and offer the right on-going support.
“We also have some fantastic resources to use in support sessions as well as assemblies. I would highly recommend the training to other schools.”
All children respond to, and understand death, in their own unique way, continues Jules.
“How a child experiences grief depends on many factors, not just their age. Their reactions can be affected by their cognitive ability, emotional literacy, wider family and social dynamics, and their culture and beliefs.
“In our training, we explain what children believe about death at different ages. Younger children have a limited concept of time, for example, so they often view death as a temporary absence of that loved one. Older children understand that death is irreversible but sometimes believe that the person who died can still see or hear them.
“We also suggest ways in which the wider school can help, such as what policies a school may benefit from.”
The Treetops bereavement training is taking place on Wednesday 3 May at the hospice in Risley.
Schools interested in finding out more should contact the Treetops Counselling and Emotional Support team on 0115 949 6944 or email therapy@treetopshospice.org.uk. Further information can also be found on the Treetops website at www.treetops.org.uk
This year, Treetops Hospice is celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in the local community. During this time, the hospice has supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
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Photo Caption: Picture L-R: Jules Kirk, Treetops Therapeutic Services Manager and Sarah Cundill, Deputy Therapeutic Services Manager, Treetops Hospice
About Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.
This year, we are very proud to be celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in our local community. During this time, we have supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
We have achieved this amazing milestone thanks to our dedicated volunteers who help across the whole hospice and in our charity shops, our hard-working staff team, and our supporters, past and present.
Last year, our team of Hospice at Home nurses provided over 20,000 hours of care to terminally-ill patients, working day and night to give much-needed support.
Our team of bereavement counsellors provided over 4,500 counselling sessions – more than 900 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate
A counselling session for a bereaved child costs £34.50. An overnight Hospice at Home nursing shift for a patient at the end of life costs £108.
Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS
0115 949 1264 | www.treetopshospice.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 519540
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