‘Supporting children with their grief journey‘

Bereavement boxes featured on BBC: You can read the article here

‘Loss of a loved person is one of the most intensely painful
experiences any human can suffer. Not only is it painful to
experience but it is painful to witness…To the bereaved,
nothing but the return of the lost person can bring true
comfort’. (Bowlby, 1988 Loss, Sadness and Depression)

Bereavement Soothing Boxes

Each year we organise a charitable campaign, with the main aim of supporting vulnerable people within our community. This year we are launching our ‘Bereavement Campaign’ for children. We recognise that death is arguably one of the most difficult periods for a child to process. Children may have a limited capacity to convey their feelings into words, therefore this is demonstrated through behaviour and feelings. We have created these FREE bereavement boxes to help children manage in the school and home environment, a small gesture to remind them that they are never alone. The boxes include: Fidget toys (pop-its, fidget spinner) affirmation cards, a notepad, colouring pencils, feelings indicator, stress ball and a note from Journal to Dreams. Please note boxes may vary slightly.

Criteria

• Children based in West Midlands
• Primary school aged
• Experienced a recent bereavement of a loved one.

Sign up for a box here:

If you are a school and would like to sign up for a box for a child. Please use the link above.

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Please note: We will be funding the first 20 boxes. Therefore, we welcome donations to enable more children to benefit from this campaign!

Donate HERE:

Thank you for your donations. We appreciate every single penny.

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Ways to help a child remember a loved one:

• Memory box – A special box that can be made for the child, to put items in such as photos, letters, cards and treasured items from the person that died.
• A memory book – Creating a special memory book with the child which includes photos, poems, stories and memories of their loved one.
• Planting a Tree – Some children may like to plant a tree or a shrub to commemorate their loved one. A place to visit, when they feel sad.
• Lighting a candle – On special occasions along with a prayer or poem to help the child remember their loved one.
  
  
  

Things to remember when supporting a child:

• Always allow the child time to grief at their own pace.
• Encourage the child to talk about their feelings in a safe space.
• Always be truthful and honest when they ask questions.
• Allow the child silence if they do no want to talk.
• Reassure the child that strong and sad feelings are normal.
• Be sensitive to their grief process particularly if this is delayed grief.
• Let children know you understand they are having difficult feelings.
• Where possible, provide an environment where they feel safe to express their feelings.
• Help the child to explore ways they can express themselves, through story telling, writing, drawing or singing.

Please see a therapeutic art resources donated to us by Clarissa from CBK Therapies:

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Bereavement box testimonial’s

Thank you so much for dropping off the boxes. the children have taken so well to them and it automatically elicited conversations about their grandad and how they missed him. R has already said she will bring the box to her school.

– Parent

Thank you so much for taking the time to drop off the bereavement box earlier. The box will be gratefully received by our little recipient.

– Assistant Head Teacher, Boldmere Infant School

‘I found the boxes really beautiful. One parent phoned me and said ‘oh my gosh I absolutely love the box’. It was so thoughtful, the little was so meaningful’

-Deputy Head Teach, City of Birmingham Schools