EXCLUSIVE: Bereaved Midlothian Mum campaigns for more support services
A Mum from Midlothian is campaigning for more local support services after the sudden death of her 10-year-old son earlier this year - she's speaking exclusively to Forth News.
Last updated 26th Oct 2022
A Midlothian Mum who suddenly lost her only child is campaigning for improved support services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Claire Allan's 10-year-old son Jamie died in March, he'd had Covid-19, but the family still haven't found out exactly what caused Jamie to pass away so suddenly.
In the aftermath Claire found limited support available to her, which was compounded as she was a single mother, Jamie her only child, with just a small support network.
Two options presented to Claire were the national charities 'child bereavement UK' and 'The Compassionate Friends.'
However, she found both had long waiting lists, and in addition she is only able to secure meetings for both once a month.
"I've been a single parent with Jamie all of his life, it's always been me and him.
"When he past I felt as thought I just needed to reach out and speak to people - somebody who had been in the same situation as me.
"To understand what all the processes were, surrounding Jamie's passing."
For Claire she says she has immensely benefited from the support she has managed to get, but admits more help - especially from those with first hand experience - would have been important.
Claire has made a friend, another Mother who sadly lost a child, through one of her groups - but feels others like them would benefit from more opportunities, and by being presented with them earlier.
"I started a counselling session with a bereaved parent herself, and they've been absolutely amazing.
"It's great, but I do find that it's always once a month, so a lot can happen in a month when you're bereaved of your only child.
"To be able to speak to a parent, who'd actually lost her child herself, and for me to think that all these thoughts and these feelings - where your mind goes when you've lost a child - and for someone at the other end of a screen to go 'this is normal, it is normal to feel like this."
Jamie had been taken to the Royal Hospital for children and young people in Edinburgh.
Claire had been given a 'rainbow pack' to help her navigate the next steps, but told us she didn't feel enough was available to her immediately following Jamie's passing.
AN NHS Lothian Spokesperson said:
"NHS Lothian provides support through our chaplaincy team for families who have been bereaved. We also work closely with key partners to ensure that families receive the right support for them, at what is a very difficult time.
"To ensure we can provide this support we are currently recruiting additional staff, as well as strengthening our links with external support organisations."