A Heartfelt Calling: My Journey in Children's Grief Support

As a Children and Families Support Worker, I've had the privilege of walking alongside children and families as they navigate the complexities of grief and loss of a loved one. My role involves providing a safe space for these young hearts to express their emotions, process their experiences, and find hope. Prior to joining Thames Hospice I worked in social care for 38 years, I needed a change and this position provided a much better work life balance for me.

My personal journey with grief has shaped my understanding and empathy for others. Having experienced loss as a child, I know first-hand the profound impact it can have on a young life. This first-hand experience fuels my passion for helping others.

I believe in the power of human connection and the importance of open communication. I use various techniques to enable this and support children, including creative expression, play, and group support. Everyone child I work with is different. I don’t have a rule book or list of activities, I am always thinking on my feet and adapting to the child’s personality, history, family and situation, finding different ways to engage with them. I dip in and out of talking about the loss of their loved one, building a relationship and rapport which enables us to connect and for them to talk about their feelings comfortably.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is witnessing the resilience of children. I've seen first-hand how, with the right support, children can heal and grow from their experiences of loss.

A particularly inspiring moment was working with Tanisha. When I first met her, she was 15 and grieving the loss of her father. Through our sessions, I watched her blossom into a confident young woman who was not only able to articulate her grief but also able to share her story with the world and help other young people coming to terms loss. To see her shining on national television, a symbol of strength and resilience, filled me with emotion. It was very humbling.

I'm really grateful for the opportunity to work at a hospice, a place that is often misunderstood. People often think of hospices as a place for dying but actually they are a place of hope. We are here for the living, to provide comfort, support and a sense of peace to both patients and their loved ones.

A lot of people don't think hospice support is for them or their family. They don't know that it's a free resource. I hope that by sharing my story, I can challenge that thinking and highlight the vital role they play in supporting families during difficult times.

I believe that every child deserves the chance to heal and grow. By providing compassionate and effective support, we can help them navigate their grief journey and emerge stronger and more resilient…. Just look at Tanisha.