We’d like to say a huge thank you to Teesside-based housing association Thirteen, which has donated funds from its community fund to Teesside Hospice, helping to support our children’s bereavement service.
Around £600 has been donated to provide materials such as pens, paper, jars and other creative resources used to help children express their feelings and cope with grief in their own way.
Our bereavement service offers specialist counselling and emotional support to children and young people aged seven and above who have lost a parent, grandparent or someone close to them.
From April 2024 – March 2025, 57 children and young people received counselling session, including one-to-one support and group activities.
Our team of specialist counsellors use creative, person-centred approaches such as making memory jars with coloured sand, memory rocks to keep close, night lights, baubles that represent continuing the bond and “comfort boxes” to help children feel less alone and remember their loved ones in a meaningful and positive way.
Our children’s bereavement counsellor Mandy Blott said: “We’re so grateful to have been granted this support from Thirteen’s community fund. Our children’s bereavement service is entirely funded through fundraising, so every penny makes a huge difference to us.
“The materials we use, from coloured sand for memory jars, to art supplies and items for the comfort boxes, help children to express emotions they often can’t put into words. This support means we can continue to be there for young people who are learning to live with loss.”
Thirteen’s head of touchpoints Adele McLaren said: “The children’s bereavement service provides such important emotional support, helping young people to cope with grief and create positive memories. We’re proud to be able to support Teesside Hospice through our community fund and the incredible work they do for children and families across the region.”
Thank you, Thirteen! This donation will be hugely beneficial for the young people who access our services.
To find out more about bereavement support provided by Teesside Hospice, visit https://www.teessidehospice.org/our-work/bereavement-support/.
We're changing lives across Teesside by supporting people and families who've been affected by a terminal illness.
We’re so lucky to be supported by amazing volunteers over the festive season, who help us provide care, offer a friendly welcome for visitors, and much more. This includes Dawn, who has been volunteering with Teesside Hospice for 4 years and gives up her time on Christmas Day to help patients and visitors feel as special as possible.
"In November 2023, life was going to plan. As a family, we’d had a lovely summer, we’d moved into our family forever home, and everything just felt perfect. Little did we know that 2 weeks later, our lives would be torn apart..."
We’d like to say a huge thank you to corporate supporter Ramsdens for funding a whole day of care at Teesside Hospice – a remarkable contribution of £18,500!
Keep me up to date
Social Media
Get In Touch
Whether you want to talk to one of our professional staff or find out how you can get involved, please get in touch.