Dorothy House Hospice Care has launched a new national Children & Young People’s Wellbeing Hub to support children and young people affected by serious illness and bereavement.
The digital Hub has been created with input from young people supported by the charity and brings together trusted, age-appropriate resources to help them explore emotions, understand grief and build resilience.
It launches to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (9–15 February).
The Hub is designed for children and young people across the UK who are living with, or have lost, someone close to them due to a life-limiting illness.
With one child in every classroom expected to lose a parent or carer before the age of 16, the charity says the free resource aims to provide compassionate, accessible guidance at a time when families need it most.
Donna Oakes, Children & Families Practitioner at Dorothy House, said, “We are grateful to all the young people who have helped us create this important resource. We hope that it will provide a safe and supportive space for any children and young people facing the death of a loved one or for those who are already navigating grief.”
A safe, accessible space for families
The Children & Young People’s Wellbeing Hub offers a range of practical and emotional support.
This includes age-appropriate videos, podcasts, blogs and interactive materials curated from trusted, research-based bereavement organisations.
There is also tailored support for parents, guardians and carers, with conversation guides, practical tools and specialist advice to help families talk about difficult feelings.
Clear, easy-to-navigate sections help users explore emotions, learn about grief and find ways to cope and build resilience.
Families can access the Hub at https://www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing-hub/
Rooted in experience and care
The new Hub forms part of Dorothy House’s wider Family Support Services.
These include bereavement groups, one-to-one psychological support and specialist children’s services delivered by trained wellbeing practitioners.
Dorothy House provides free palliative and end of life care across Bath & North East Somerset and parts of Somerset and Wiltshire.
Its services support patients and families from diagnosis through bereavement, offering medical care alongside emotional, psychological and practical support.
www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing-hub/
