CHUMS offer specialist bereavement support to children and young people from 3½ up until their 26th birthday in Kent and Medway.
Specialist support is needed when a child or young person is experiencing complex grief or traumatic bereavement. This might mean that it is extra hard for them to manage the death and so it is having an enduring negative impact on everyday life. This might be because of the way the person died or because various other factors are disrupting their ability to grieve. Children and young people who need specialist support are likely to be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, low mood, overwhelming emotions or post traumatic symptoms related to their bereavement.
This might include:
• Prolonged periods of being low and withdrawn
• Anxiety that prevents them from doing things they would normally do
• High levels of frustration that impact on relationships and daily life
• Struggling with thoughts or images about the death
• Being unable to tolerate thinking or speaking about their bereavement.
This Specialist Bereavement Service is established from a wide range of experienced, trained professionals and volunteers. Support will be tailored to provide evidence-based interventions to children and young people through 1:1, group and drop-in sessions.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19 OUR DELIVERY IS LIKELY TO BE VIRTUAL, EITHER BY PHONE OR ONLINE VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS. THIS INCLUDES 1:1 SUPPORT AND THERAPEUTIC GROUPS FOR BOTH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND PARENTS/CARERS.
CHUMS Specialist Bereavement Service Offer Support Through:
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1:1 evidence-based interventions
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Specialist bereavement groups for parents/carers, children and young people
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Drop-in sessions
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Telephone advice
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Bereavement literature
Referrals
CHUMS Kent Specialist Bereavement Service is for children, young people and young adults:
- Registered with a Kent and Medway GP practice
- The individual must be a resident in Kent and Medway, with a recognised Kent and Medway postcode
- Aged 3½ up until their 26th birthday
- Who require specialist bereavement support to cope with their complex grief or traumatic bereavement
Referrals can be made online using our referral forms
Additional Bereavement Service Providers
Amparo
Amparo is a free and confidential service and offers practical and emotional support for anyone bereaved by suicide in Kent and Medway.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Holding On Letting Go
Provides support across Kent and Medway to children and young people up to the age of 18
who have experienced a significant bereavement or where a family member has a terminal diagnosis.
Slide Away
Pre and post bereavement service for children and young people in Kent.
Service User Testimonial
“I was lucky to have been offered a place in the bereavement group, I really enjoyed the group and came away with lots of great advice and book recommendations. J was a great host and made sure everyone was involved and answered any questions we had very well. The group helped me with my grief too as well as offering invaluable advice for my Son. I’m so grateful.”
Service User Testimonial
“Just taking a few minutes to pass on my thoughts regarding the support given by CHUMS to my son J. Having suffered multiple family bereavements, issues at school contributed to J becoming withdrawn and feeling rather isolated. The sessions in my opinion benefitted J greatly and allowed him to discuss matters he may not want to discuss with me.”
Service User Testimonial
“It was helpful to understand that it’s not just my child going through it and it helped in understanding my child’s behaviour. And, for me that how I am feeling is not out of the ordinary, there is no time limit and that it is not unusual for my feelings to keep cropping up years later”
Service User Testimonial
“I enjoyed the fun things we did and the clay throwing”
Service User Testimonial
“Russ took the time to explain ways to help; very thoughtful. I can’t thank Russ enough, how he helped through a very hard time. Thank you again for the fantastic support that you have given ******. You have helped me approach things in a way that I wouldn’t have thought of before and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to give ********** the understanding before this. It’s been a tough time and I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been if ********* felt misunderstood and I couldn’t support her in the new approach”
Service User Testimonial
“They listened to us”
Service User Testimonial
“Very good service. Children have really enjoyed being here and have felt in a safe environment to talk about things. Also gives them confidence to know they are not alone, and others are also experiencing loss”
Service User Testimonial
“Doing the memory jar and the painting”
Service User Testimonial
“I believe it has helped me for the first time I felt understood and got to meet other people going through the same thing that I was facing at the moment”
Service User Testimonial
“Making the memory jar”