Rainbow Ripples
Bereavement / Support / Counselling Service for children
Introduction to Rainbow Ripples
Children are affected by the serious illness or death of a close family member and 'Rainbow Ripples' offers direct support for children or indirect support through parents or others within the family.
There are three main areas of support:
- One to one work - child and counsellor
- Group activities with children of a similar age eg. activity weekends - family picnics etc
- Support / advice / counselling one to one with an adult member of the family
One to one work with children consists of choosing an appropriate method of communication with the child eg. talking, play therapy, art work or a combination of several.
Often adults have a fear that telling a child the truth will hurt. It will, but not to tell the child the truth may hurt more. Sometimes parents need help and support in order to find the courage to speak openly and honestly with their children.
Group activities with children within the same age groups allow them to share activities with children who have had a similar experience. To know they are not alone in their experience often helps children to express their feelings more clearly.
Rainbow Ripples counsellors are available to support the parents during this difficult time.
As Rainbow Ripples develops, we intend to offer more support to children and young adults by offering weekly/biweekly support groups facilitated by a Rainbow Ripples counsellor.
Recommended Reading:
- 'Preparing a Child for the Death of a Parent' £3.99
available through Myton Hospice Counselling Service - 'A Child's Questions About Death' – H J Dawson
- 'How It Feels When A Parent Dies' – Jill Krementz
- 'Grief and Bereavement' – Marilyn Relf, Ann Couldrick and Heather Barrie
- 'On Children and Death' – Elizabeth Kubler Ross
- 'Helping Children Cope with Grief' – Rosemary Wells
- 'Explaining Death to Children' - Earl A Grollman
- 'A Child’s Parent Dies' – Erna Furman
To contact the Counselling Service you can:
- Ring the main Hospice telephone number (01926) 492518 and ask to speak to the Bereavement Co-ordinator
- Ask a member of staff to contact the Counselling Service on your behalf
- Ring the Counselling Team Direct Line (01926) 838820 (24 hour answering machine)