Support for bereaved children and young people - Memory Box
2
The Pitch
Problem statement
The death of someone close affects the emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental wellbeing, of a child or young person, sometimes with major consequences throughout life. Approximately two children under 16 are bereaved of a parent every hour with 78% of 11-16-year old’s experiencing at least one of their close relatives or friends dying. In Northamptonshire: • It is estimated that each year, around 260 parents die in this area, leaving around 460 dependent children (aged 0 to 17) • and that the current school-age population of children and young people (aged 5-16) in this area who have been bereaved of a parent or sibling at some point in their childhood is 3030.
Solution
Our specialist palliative care team has developed resources and materials to support families, children, and young people through this emotional and difficult time. A grant will be spent on Memory boxes filled with activities, resources, age appropriate literature including a life book which families can use together to create lasting memories. Enabling children and young people the opportunity and space to talk about their feelings and families to help children prepare for a death of a loved one. And teddy bears with cuddle blankets used with the younger children to help express feelings and provide a sense of security during such an upsetting and changing time.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Our experienced team of end of life nurse's and health professionals understand the needs both medically and holistically of a patient and their family at such a confusing and difficult time. They reach out with information, support, education and resources to help families take forward open conversations with children and young adults, enabling children to express their feelings and ask their questions, encouraging their involvement, helping them to remember their special person, and to be involved and included in saying their goodbyes.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| 70 boxes at £35 | £2,450 |
| 25 bears and blankets at £12 | £300 |
Beneficiaries
70 people
Expected impact
The memory boxes have been developed and formulated by Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT), Palliative Care Patient & Family Liaison Worker, Claire Mould based on feedback received from patients and families. The resources support the needs identified below: What can help children and young people cope with their loss? • Having the death acknowledged. • Being given age-appropriate information about what has happened and what is going to happen. • Having the chance to express their feelings and thoughts about the death. • Being helped to remember. • Taking part in opportunities to say goodbye and commemorate the person who has died. • Knowing they are not to blame for what has happened. In 2022/23 we anticipate distributing approximately 200 memory boxes and 100 bears and cuddle blankets. This grant will cover the cost of 70 boxes and 25 bears. Family feedback and needs are monitored through feedback forms provided with the box and reviewed twice a year.
Track record
“Following our discussions about how we could support our children to deal with the terminal diagnosis of their beloved Pappy Jim, you suggested providing a gift for each child that could be given by Dad. The children, aged 7 and 3 years, were given a beautifully gift-wrapped package of a bear and handmade blanket. Following your suggestion, we took a photograph of Dad holding these presents to show the children he was gifting them to his grandchildren. We explained when handing them over that Pappy Jim was sending his cuddles and love to them both by way of the bears and the blankets. Both children understood this and clearly took comfort in the fact he was with them, sending his love, even though they could not see him in person. I cannot thank you enough for how this small gift has helped us support the children following our devastating loss. It has given us a way to help them remember Pappy and in a way in which my Dad’s memory can live on.” A patient