The Echo Project: Support for Young People

We offer support to children and young people who are experiencing bereavement or living with an adult with a life-limiting illness.

If you would like to refer a child or young person, or would like more information about how we can support educational professionals, please contact our Patient and Family Support Team on pfsadmin@stclarehospice.org.uk or phone 01279 773762.

The Echo Project – Supporting young people facing loss

The Echo Project is run by a team of Children, Young People and Family Therapists and offers a range of support to children and young people, aged up to 18 years old, who are facing a loss or have experienced a bereavement. It is for all those living in West Essex and East Hertfordshire and no previous connection with St Clare Hospice is required.

The Echo Project offers:

• Support through facing an illness
• Bereavement support
• Training for parents, carers and schools

For more information on the Echo Project please contact our Patient and Family Support Team on pfsadmin@stclarehospice.org.uk  or phone 01279 773762.

Support throughout facing an illness

When you, or someone close, receives a diagnosis of a life-limiting or terminal illness, it can be an extremely worrying time for all the family. For children and young people, it can be even more confusing and difficult during the period of growing up. That’s why the Echo Project is here to help throughout your family’s entire journey.

We can offer the following support for young people who have a family member or loved one facing a life-limiting or terminal illness:

• One-to-one therapy
• Family therapy
• Group workshops

Bereavement support

The Echo Project is here to support families throughout their entire journey.

We offer specialised support for children and young people who are struggling with grief and loss:

• One-to-one bereavement therapy – using methods such as art, play, music, drama and memory work
• Bereavement groups – offering a space to meet other young people experiencing loss
• Family therapy

Echo Connect Creative Bereavement Café 

When a child or young person is experiencing grief, it can be difficult for them to process their thoughts and express their feelings.  

Our free Echo Connect creative bereavement cafés can help children and young people find ways to express themselves and their emotions through creative activities. Being surrounded by others with a shared experience of grief can help in feeling understood and less alone.  

The sessions are held in St Clare’s Community Space here at the Hospice in Hastingwood between 5pm and 6.30pm on: 

• 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of the month for children aged 7 to 11 years 
• 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month for children aged 12 to 16 years 

For more information about Echo Connect, email bereavement@stclarehospice.org.uk. Alternatively, you can book your child’s space by clicking here. 

Workshops and training for parents, carers and schools

Parent & Caregiver Workshop

This provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to understand the grieving process and associated behaviours that children and young people within the family may display after a bereavement. With a focus on supporting the young person within the family, these workshops also offer a space for parents and caregivers to connect with each other and form a supportive network amongst themselves.

Training for Teachers and Staff in Schools

We deliver training to teachers and staff in schools around the impact that bereavement can have on children and young people. Exploring behaviours linked with grief that may be exhibited at school, this training aims to equip teachers and school staff with the tools they need to help support young people and build resilience within their organisations.

This service is open to schools within West Essex and East Hertfordshire, and no previous connection with St Clare Hospice is required.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about how The Echo Project could be helpful to you, your school or a loved one, please get in touch.

Contact our Patient and Family Support Team on pfsadmin@stclarehospice.org.uk  or phone 01279 773762.

Thanks to Children in Need! The Echo Project has been kindly funded by BBC Children in Need.