Designed for primary and intermediate aged children and their parents/ cargivers. This is a family / whanau based programme that aims to support families through change in their lives.
Change, loss and grief are a part of life for everyone, but until recently, it was not acknowledged that children grieve for losses in their lives just as adults do.
Feelings of loss and grief can be brought about by many things. Death, separation, a grandparent moving away or becoming ill, moving house, changing schools, the loss of a pet, can all contribute to feelings of loss and grief.
There are often loss and grief issues for children of families living apart. Sometimes these issues come up months or years later or when a parent enters a new relationship.
There is no ‘right’ time to deal with loss and no ‘right’ age.
Being part of a group can help children to realise that what they feel is normal and being part of a group can provide support for parents/caregivers.
Aims of the Group
• To provide a safe honest environment for children who have suffered a loss;
• To raise children’s and parents/caregivers’ understanding of the process of grief and loss.
• To normalise grief and loss;
• To provide children with an opportunity to express feelings safely;
• To ease the sense of isolation for children and parents/caregivers;
• To help children develop coping skills.
This programme is currently running, and is likely to run again in Terms 3 in 2019.