Published on: Friday 17 Jul 2015 at 12:56
Our care team works tirelessly to ensure we support everyone who needs our care, patients and families alike, to ensure they all get the help and advice needed to get the most they possibly can from every day they have together.
But, we don’t have the resources to offer the same level of specialist support to the children as we do the adults in a family – and, as we celebrate 25 years of incredible care in 2015, that is a gap in our service we are desperate to close.
St Clare patient and family support manager Joanna Petts said: “Children can often be ‘left behind’ when a parent or grandparent is dying. Parents sometimes don’t have the mental strength to cope with the demands of looking after their loved one as well as dealing with their children’s needs.
“Children have their own way of coming to terms with their grief and feelings – and all too often we see that they suffer from a lack of specialist support.”
Our Silver Anniversary Appeal is being backed by Alia and Jahzee’s mum Rebecca, who knows first-hand what it feels like to see your children lose a parent without having the support they need after their dad Nick passed away last year aged just 40.
“Nick’s sudden death was an enormous shock for all of us, but especially for the girls,” she said. “I did look around for specialist support for them but there was nothing really available.
“St Clare did more than I could have ever expected for both Nick and myself, but it’s so clear the girls were left behind. They didn’t get the same level of support and I can see how deeply that affected them.
“St Clare are hoping to set up a brand new, dedicated Children’s Support and Bereavement Service that will give other children like Alia and Jahzee the practical, expert help that would have made such a difference.
“I know this is a vital service because I know what it feels like to see your children lose a parent, without having the support they need. I don’t want other families to go through that.”
Rebecca added: “I cannot urge you strongly enough to give this special charity your support and let them begin t support children in the same way they so remarkably support adults.”
You can donate to our Silver Anniversary Appeal here, or text STCL25 and either £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.