Grampian Child Bereavement Network has urgent need for volunteers
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A CHARITY which supports children and young people who have lost a parent is in urgent need of volunteers.
Grampian Child Bereavement Network (GCBN) is part of The ARCHIE Foundation family and provides support to bereaved children and young people throughout the region to help them manage their grief.
A parent of a child under 18 dies every 22 minutes in the UK, it is estimated 230 parents die in Grampian each year leaving approximately 380 dependent children (Child Bereavement UK).
Approximately one in 25 children and young people have experienced a bereavement of a parent or sibling and the charity has seen a 60 per cent increase in referrals over the last year with many in the Moray area.
The charity has a team of volunteer responders who work on a one to one basis with families.
Lynne Brooks, fundraising coordinator, said: "Our trained volunteers receive referrals and visit families within their own homes. This can be to support a parent by offering support and guidance, to undertaking direct work with a child or young person.
"The coordinator matches volunteers with families usually close to the volunteers area as possible.
"We urgently need to recruit more responders, there is a comprehensive training programme provided by us including PVG Scheme membership."
Other services provided include:
- Telephone service to give advice and support either in the immediate aftermath or at a later date as issues arise.
- Book gifting service which provide specialist titles (over 50) covering all situations and giving families the words and opportunity to discuss what has happened.
- Activity Days give children the chance to remember with craft -focused activities and others just to have fun, carers get the chance to have a cuppa and share stories in a supportive environment.
- Teen Group gives them the chance to set the agenda and share.
- Training days - the charity has trained over 400 education, health care and social work staff in how best to support bereaved families and continue to do so through talks and conferences.
- Mentoring - support professionals already involved with the child or family so a new face is not added to an already difficult situation.
The charity relies solely on fundraising to enable this service to happen. If you would like to support the charity you can contact lynne.brooks@archie.org , phone 07818 498618 or go to the website www.gcbn.org
