East Yorkshire's child bereavement service reflects one year into the pandemic
Today marks a year since the UK officially went into the first lockdown
Last updated 23rd Mar 2021
Figures from Marie Curie show almost half of the UK personally know someone who has died since 22nd March 2020.
The end of life charity is leading a minute of silence at midday followed by people being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm and shine a light.
Dove House Hospice in Hull has been helping hundreds of people across East Yorkshire with bereavement support they have been knitting angel bears to post out to children or adults who are struggling.
Since this time last year, the charity says the service has been more important than ever. Janet Dean is from there - she told us:
“The virus has gone on and has really compounded onto people who are bereaved and not being able to go out and see family. Also those who have had to deal with funerals.”
“At the beginning, I think all services went really quiet so we concentrated more on our colleagues at the in-patient unit but as COVID’s progressed, we’ve noticed people are needing support in areas where they may have not needed it before."
The hospice has also been providing groups that run for 2 hours every week, helping children aged between 6-11 years and 11-17 years to provide support and help them to learn how to cope and move forward.
One child who has attended the group, said:
“The group helped me realise that I am not alone, that it’s not just me and my brother.”
Anyone can make a referral for a young person by calling the hospice on 01484 784343 or email children@dovehouse.org.uk or the family support team on 01482 785770.