Children's Bereavement Service
YMCA Children's Bereavement Service
A bereavement service for young people aged
0-18 on the Isle of Wight
What is the service about?
The YMCA Children's Bereavement Service provides services for children and young people on the Isle of Wight to enable them to cope with bereavement and to raise awareness and understanding within the wider community of the impact of death on young lives.
Click here to download an information leaflet for Adults
Click here to download an information leaflet for Young People
Why is the YMCA Children's Bereavement Service so important?
In line with published statistics, it is estimated that approximately 400 children and young people experience bereavement every year on the Isle of Wight. Previously there has been no service on the island that specifically addresses the needs of bereaved children, and no bereavement support at all for the under 5's. Our service is available to all aged 0-18 who have been affected by death.
Taking a long term view, if children experience unresolved or complicated grief it can directly lead to poorer outcomes later on in life, three independent studies concluded that 90% of young offenders had unresolved grief as a driver behind their offending behaviour. There is also significant evidence that good quality and early intervention improves children's ability to cope with bereavement and to grieve in healthy ways as they resume their lives.
Bereavement counselling and support
From March 2011 we will offer a range of services including...
- 1:1 support for 0-18's
- Information for families
- Support and information for professionals including health professionals, schools and childcare workers
- Professional psychological counselling
- Information for communities
- Events (such as memorial days and activities involving local media and communities)
- Advice and the latest online support from our website
- Group work and residential camp
How can you help?
A grant from the Big Lottery Fund has provided us with the means to set up the service. In order for the YMCA Children's Bereavement Service to continue to grow you can help in the following ways...
- Raising awareness among your family and friends
- Organising fund raising events
- Donating a one off or regular gift
For further information or to offer your support please contact Kelly.burke@ymca-fg.org .
How can we help?
The bereavement service is for anyone aged 0-18. Family, friends and community groups are also welcome to ring for information. The service is based at YMCA Isle of Wight Winchester House in Shanklin and we can be contacted on 01983 861072 or CBS@ymca-fg.org
