Family support charities in Dorset have seen a rise in calls over the festive season
A local Dorset charity has launched a campaign to try to raise £10,000 this year to support bereaved children across Dorset
A family support charity in Dorset have reported a surge in calls over the Christmas period as the demand for bereavement services continue to grow year on year.
Mosaic have helped around 400 children this year and are fundraising to continue their work.
The charity told us the festive season can often remind children of the loved ones who are no longer there.
Charity CEO, Jo Revill said: “Everyone will experience some form of grief, but people can find it really hard to talk about and it can be a hard conversation for parents to have and they often feel like they're treading on eggshells, so there is a need for our services.”
The charity to puts on activity days involving things such as rock climbing and sailing to give children an outlet and take their minds away from the pain they are experiencing.
Jo Revill told us: “Our activity days make children feel as though they aren’t alone. They spend time with children going through the same thing and gives them an outlet for their feelings, but it also distracts them from the pain of grief.”
She added: “Some young people can feel guilty talking to their family about it, so it can be transformational to have another adult they can talk to openly about their feelings.”
The charity is hoping to raise £10,000 this year to support bereaved children across Dorset.
Seasonal fundraising events enable Mosaic to offer a year-long programme of therapy for children and young people who have been bereaved or who are facing the loss of a loved one.