Brave children talk of hospice's help through bereavement

Children who received bereavement support from Wolverhampton's Compton Hospice have bravely spoken of their experiences to help highlight the importance of the specialist service.

Chelsea Rickerby, aged 16, and Emily Woollam, aged eight, attended a special event at the hospice to emphasise the positive impact the family bereavement service can have.

Chelsea gave a short presentation to the group about her experiences at the hospice after losing her mum, Lisa, to bowel and liver cancer in August 2009.

Emily’s mum, Val, also talked to the group about the difference the service has made to herself and her family after her husband, David, died following a brain tumor in May 2008.

A DVD was then shown of a special children’s Remembrance Service, held on February 20, to give attendees an insight into some of the work undertaken.

Family bereavement support worker, Ann Scanlon, arranged the event to highlight the importance of acknowledging the needs of young people when a family member is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.

Ann said: “People can find it very difficult to communicate with children about what’s happening when someone close to them is terminally ill.

“We offer advice to adults in these situations and are there to support youngsters of all ages in dealing with their emotions before and after the death of someone close.

“I have worked closely with Chelsea and Emily and I’m very proud of them for agreeing to help raise awareness of what we do.

“They really helped to convey how the bereavement service can have a positive impact in these situations.”

Emily also presented the hospice with a cheque for £250, donated by her father’s former employer, Homeserve.