New bereavement support for Blackburn & Darwen families

Children and young people across Blackburn with Darwen who are struggling following the death of someone close to them can now access a new free bereavement support service.

The Wave Project has been launched by Lancashire Mind with funding from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, offering specialist support to children and young people aged five to 18.

Support is also available up to the age of 25 for young people with additional needs, while parents, carers and schools can also receive help and guidance.

The new service was recently launched with a Family Day at Ewood Park, where around 100 local residents took part in activities, met other families and found out more about the support available.

Helping young people through grief

The Wave Project provides an eight-session peer support programme giving children and young people a safe place to talk about bereavement, meet others with similar experiences and develop ways of managing their grief.

There is a separate programme for parents and carers, while schools can access training, advice and resources to help staff support bereaved pupils.

Around 120 children, young people, parents and carers are expected to receive support through the service each year.

The project plans to deliver up to 70 therapeutic group sessions for children and young people and a further 30 sessions for parents and carers annually.

It has initially been commissioned for two years, with the possibility of extending it for a further two years.

Service shaped by young people

Young people who have experienced bereavement themselves have helped shape the project, including choosing The Wave Project name and branding.

Councillor Julie Gunn, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said losing someone close could be incredibly difficult for a child or young person.

She said: “The Wave Project will provide support at an early stage, helping young people develop the tools they need to cope with loss and continue to thrive.”

She added that seeing families come together at the project’s Ewood Park launch demonstrated the importance of ensuring young people knew they did not have to deal with bereavement alone.

Councillor Matt Jackson, Executive Member for Housing Needs and Public Health, said grief could have a major effect on emotional wellbeing and everyday life.

He said providing early support could help reduce isolation and make sure families knew where to find help when they needed it.

A safe place to talk

Hannah Holden, Head of Children and Young People’s Services at Lancashire Mind, said children could sometimes be expected to deal with grief without having the right support available.

She said: “Through The Wave Project, we want to create safe, understanding spaces where children and young people can talk about their experiences, connect with others who understand, and develop the tools and confidence to navigate their grief.”

The project forms part of wider work in Blackburn with Darwen aimed at improving mental wellbeing and providing support before difficulties develop into more serious or longer-term mental health problems.

Families, schools and professionals can find out more about The Wave Project or make a referral through Lancashire Mind:

https://www.lancashiremind.org.uk/project/family-bereavement-support/

Source: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council / Lancashire Mind.