Forgotten mourners

Children often tell us they feel isolated during their grief experience. They are usually unaware of another bereaved child their age, and think that nobody understands their feelings. In the playground they may face taunts about “not having a mummy now”, or face difficult questions about why their Dad has stopped picking them up.
Phrases such as “they’ll bounce back”, “kids are resiliant” and “be big and brave” are carelessly uttered and even believed by some adults. All this reinforces the bereaved childs impression that no one understands them.

The needs of bereaved children have also largely been missed by goverments, policy makers and statutary authorities. As a result, charities, hospices and volunteers have often been left to ‘pick up the pieces’.
The people who have most contact with children and young people though, are teachers and school staff who are, in growing numbers, getting excited about the life-changing work it is possible for them to do with their pupils.