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Playing our part... the family support and bereavement team


In 2009/2010... ● 57 families who currently visit Helen & Douglas House received practical support and counselling


● Workshops for our current families included 'building memories', and 'how living with a life limited child impacts on family relationships', as well as a specific workshop for grandparents


● 72 families received support in bereavement


● We ran 3 bereavement workshops, dealing with the following issues; how men and women grieve, how grief changes over time and how grief affects faith


● A group of parents whose children died 4 years ago were trained to help more recently bereaved mums and dads


● 2 camps were organised in 2009/2010 for bereaved and current brothers and sisters and those who currently visit Helen & Douglas House. Other outings included a barge trip, activity day (with climbing, quad biking, inflatable assault course, arts & crafts and archery) and a pantomime. 61 brothers and sisters were helped through these activities. One-to-one support is also offered


The Family Support and Bereavement Team offers professional counselling, workshops and group support for current and bereaved parents, as well as for the whole family. One-to-one visits to bereaved parents are made regularly over an average of two years by the team, or for as long as this support is needed. In the early stages of grief, visits may be scheduled every two weeks, or even weekly. Included in our current service is the Elephant Club, which is run for the brothers and sisters of young people who have been,


or are still, coming to Helen & Douglas House. Siblings are so often overlooked but through age-appropriate bereavement services, we can help them cope with their loss; the effects of which can be felt in different ways and at different times as they grow up. Topics included; ‘all about me’, ‘things I like/don’t like’, ‘finding out about yourself’, and ‘why do bad things happen?’. In September 2009, we celebrated the Elephant Club’s first birthday.


Practical social work support is also an important area for the team, particularly giving practical help to families who find themselves struggling with long-term stress and sadness, and who are absolutely exhausted by delivering 24 hour care to their child. We do a lot of work to negotiate external funding from local statutory services to help support our young adults at Douglas House. For many, spiritual care and help is just as important, and our chaplain is a valued member of the Family Support team, leading the four annual remembrance days for our families.


Siblings are often overlooked, but we can help them cope with their loss


Helen & Douglas House Playing our part Annual Review 2009/2010


Sam enjoys The Elephant Club


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