Annually, Nelson’s Journey holds 3 therapeutic weekends for those aged 6 - 13yrs and one weekend for those aged 14 – 17yrs.
In 2009, a total of 209 children from around Norfolk received a service from Nelson’s Journey. Of these, 137 children had a direct service. Nelson’s Journey is able to offer varying levels of assessment, dependent on the wishes and needs of the family. Every child receives a comprehensive assessment of their bereavement needs before receiving a direct service. In addition to those receiving a direct service, a further 72 children benefited by their parent, carer or involved professional being given advice and information either within the home or by telephone. Some children were referred on to other agencies for support as appropriate, dependent on their circumstances.
Of the children and young people who attended therapeutic weekends in 2009: 25% were remembering someone who had died of cancer, 18% heart related, 6% suicide, 10% traffic or other accident, 8% drug or alcohol related, 4% brain haemorrhage and 29% other causes. Relationship to the child: 18% mother, 51% father, 4% sister, 6% brother, 6% grandmother, 6% grandfather, 1% great grandfather, 4% step father, 4% friend and 1% uncle.
Nelson’s Journey estimates that approximately 280 children, living in Norfolk experience the death of a significant person in their life annually.
Around 1 in 29 children and young people currently of school age have experienced the death of a parent, brother or sister, and 1 in 16 have been bereaved of a friend . Many more are affected by the death of someone else close. *
There are an estimated 3,961 school aged children, living in Norfolk, who have been bereaved of a parent or a sibling. *
Why is it important to support bereaved children?
Studies show that rates of bereavement for young people involved in the criminal justice system are higher than in the general population. At least 17% of persistent young offenders have been bereaved of a parent, compared to just 4% of 11 to 16 year olds nationwide. *
Mental Health - Death and loss are identified as key issues in the risk of children developing a range of mental health problems “The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents”, Office of National Statistics, Meltzer et al (2000).
Emotional Health - A Study found that two years after the death, bereaved children felt less able to effect change and had lower self-esteem than their peers.
Drugs Use - 47% of 18 year old girls in one study who had experienced the death of a parent had tried drugs, compared to 20% of those living with both parents and 37% of those whose parents had separated.
School Exclusion – One study found that 63% of a group of 15-16 year olds outside mainstream schooling had been bereaved of a significant person close to them. *
* statistics provided by the Childhood Bereavement Network
Person who died
Cause of death
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