We hold Therapeutic Residential Weekend Camps three times a year for 6 - 13 year olds, accommodating groups of approximately 18 bereaved children. In addition to this, we also hold a camp and/or activity days for 14 - 17 year olds, accommodating a group of up to
10 bereaved young people.
Our camps and activity days are supported by up to 20
volunteers, who are all provided with bereavement training to
ensure they provide professional support to the children.
The children attend camp to remember their special person who
has died, and are able to share their own experiences with other
bereaved children. There is a packed schedule of activities
including The Candle Light Ceremony & The Anger Wall.
The Candle Light Ceremony provides a poignant moment for
children and volunteers to remember their special person.
Children and volunteers sit in a large circle in a darkened room. One by one we light our candle in memory of the person that has died, then we each blow out our candle and say goodbye.. Tears and hugs are shared and for some children it may be the first time they have cried.
The Anger Wall activity assists children in understanding
their feelings of anger which frequently accompany the experience of bereavement. Children are asked to draw a picture of something that makes them angry; often
something relating to the death.
We then take the picture to the Anger Wall where the children
throw gooey clay at their drawing and are encouraged to scream and shout as much as they can whilst also having fun.
They learn how to manage their feelings without hurting
themselves or others, either emotionally or physically.
Follow-up
During the camps we complete reports on the children/young people through their time with us. If there are
any significant concerns about an individual, we will discuss this with the child and parent/carer and either
refer to an appropriate agency, or carry out further individual work with the child.
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