Forget-Me-Not

'Forget-Me-Not', Teesside Hospice Children's Bereavement Service was launched in 1998 to bridge the gap in support to youngsters under the age of sixteen who have lost a parent or loved one.

‘Forget-Me-Not' offers warmth, support, understanding and enlightenment in confidence to bereaved children and young people, which can restore unresolved grief into healthy grief. This is achieved by positive counselling work consisting of a variety of unique methods, including one to one sessions and group work.

Appointments are made weekly or fortnightly and each session lasts up to one hour, depending on the concentration of the young person. A parent or carer can also be involved if this is the wish of the young person. The group work programme is arranged several times during the year. For further information please contact the Head of Bereavement Counselling Services on 01642 296912.

In recent research and in the experience of professionals working with children, it has been indicated that the emotional health, social and educational needs of children and young people are adversely affected by unresolved grief.

In a relationship of trust, the counsellor works creatively with the young person using appropriate aids such as play, art, writing and drama. The methods enable the young person to explore and understand their uncomfortable feelings and emotions and take out anger, aggression, hate or resentment in a safe, controlled fashion.

The counselling team consists of carefully selected and specifically trained volunteer counsellors. The volunteers have appropriate screening (CRB) and they are professionally supervised. The counsellors meet as a group on a monthly basis for in-service training and support.