Supporting children through the loss of a loved one

Children facing the death of a loved one often struggle to understand and express their feelings. Thanks to generous donations, Bright Charity has funded more than 2,000 specially chosen books to help families support bereaved children with care and confidence.

Selected by the Northumbria Palliative Care Team, together with patients and families, the books will give relatives practical tools and gentle guidance to navigate difficult conversations. They will now be available across Northumbria’s hospitals, palliative care services, community teams, and hospital liaison teams, ensuring families throughout the trust can access them when they are most needed.

Northumbria’s bereavement support co-ordinator, Angela Belshaw, said: “We were delighted to have this funding from Bright Charity, continuing our support to bereaved children via their families and care givers.

“The resources we will provide to children and families dealing with the anticipation of death, or experiencing the loss of a family member, will help them feel supported, less alone, and reassured that their feelings are understood.”

This project is made possible by the kindness of Bright Charity’s supporters, whose donations help make a lasting difference to patients and their loved ones at some of life’s most difficult moments.