Helping children cope with loss - community fund supports Teesside Hospice [Archived]

Around £600 has been donated to provide materials such as pens, paper, jars and other creative resources used to help children express their feelings and cope with grief in their own way.

The service offers specialist counselling and emotional support to children and young people aged seven and above who have lost a parent, grandparent or someone close to them.

Support usually begins around six months after a loss, helping children to explore their emotions, continue bonds and learn about feelings and grief in a sensitive and healthy way.  

Between April 2024 until March 2025, 57 children and young people received counselling sessions, including one-to-one support and group activities. Every child is unique, and support is completely individualised. 

The team of specialist counsellors use creative, person-centred approaches such as making memory jars with coloured sand, memory rocks to keep close, night lights, baubles that represent continuing the bond and “comfort boxes” to help children feel less alone and remember their loved ones in a meaningful and positive way.

Children’s bereavement counsellor for Teesside Hospice Mandy Blott said: “We’re so grateful to have been granted this support from Thirteen’s community fund. Our children’s bereavement service is entirely funded through fundraising, so every penny makes a huge difference to us. 

“The materials we use, from coloured sand for memory jars, to art supplies and items for the comfort boxes, help children to express emotions they often can’t put into words. This support means we can continue to be there for young people who are learning to live with loss.”

Head of touchpoints Adele McLaren said: “The children’s bereavement service provides such important emotional support, helping young people to cope with grief and create positive memories. We’re proud to be able to support Teesside Hospice through our community fund and the incredible work they do for children and families across the region.”

Our community fund supports projects that make a positive contribution to the wellbeing and sustainability of local neighbourhoods by offering grants of up to £600.

The fund is open to community groups, charities, residents’ associations, voluntary and public sector organisations. Applications are reviewed by a panel of involved customers every six weeks.

If you’re a Thirteen customer and you’d like to be involved in volunteer opportunities like the community fund, please contact customer.engagement@thirteen.co.uk

Find out more about the bereavement support provided by Teesside Hospice on their website www.teessidehospice.org/our-work/bereavement-support/

You can apply for funding from Thirteen’s community fund at www.thirteengroup.co.uk/page/community-fund