Thirteen’s community fund supports Teesside Hospice

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/.