Support for Children
Childrens' Support & Activities Facilitator:
Karen Neill
The Pepper Children's Nursing team has a Children's Support Facilitator who can provide stimulating and therapeutic sessions for the children cared for by the nursing team.
The Children's Support Facilitator can also provide pre and post-bereavement support for siblings of paediatric patients, and for the children of the families with whom the IRHH adult nursing teams are involved. The IRHH Pepper Children's Nurses offer ongoing support for families who have lost a child. Part of the continuing care for bereaved children may include referral to bereavement support groups in the area, which can provide additional support for all members of the family.
Teenagers who have been bereaved may wish to access support for particular issues, and a trained member of our Family Support team can visit them, either at home or at school, whichever they prefer. We can provide a useful link for children between the home and school. Often schools will approach us for guidance in supporting children who are affected by an illness or bereavement in the home.
The Iain Rennie Family Support team works collaboratively with other hospices to provide workshops for bereaved children aged 5-15. The children are able to share similar experiences and it also provides support for their parents or carers. The children are invited to participate in many different activities, allowing them to explore and express their feelings in a safe environment, have fun and make friends.
