YOUNG people impacted by cancer have launched bereavement support resources for schools in a bid to help others following the loss of a loved one.
Using their first-hand experience of grief, young people involved in the Cancer Fund for Children’s #iwill bereaved advocacy group set out to improve bereavement support in schools.
The participants, aged between 12-17 years old, consulted with other bereaved young people and completed research to create resources for students and teachers.
Their experience and research showed that the support offered to young people varied vastly between schools. They found that most often, young people were not involved in decisions about how they should be supported post-bereavement.
Through speaking to school staff, they also found this was a desire echoed by schools and they would welcome input from young people who have directly experienced bereavement.
Every week in Northern Ireland another three children and young people aged 0-24 years-old will be diagnosed with cancer and many more young people will be struggling to cope with their parent’s cancer.
As a result, the #iwill group have developed a set of resources to enhance support in schools, which includes a bereavement support plan for young people, as well as a booklet for teachers.
Chloe Truesdale (14), who was part of the #iwill advocacy group, said she was nervous when she first got together with other young people who had been bereaved.
"Then I got to know everyone and we all just got along so well," she said.
"Everyone understands what each of us were going through. It was amazing to get to know them all and to fix problems around bereavement.
"I loved that we all trusted each other enough to talk about how we were feeling. It was great for me in every way.
"It helped me remember that it’s okay to feel the way I do."
Laura O’Hare, youth engagement specialist with Cancer Fund for Children, added: "These resources, which have been designed by the young people, are practical tools that can be used with students to involve them in decisions around the support they receive in school after a bereavement.
"They also highlight the importance of offering support on a longer-term basis, provide examples of types of support schools could put in place and include advice from young people for school staff on supporting bereaved students, so we hope they will be helpful resources for schools.
"I’m extremely proud of the #iwill group and their desire to use their own experiences to create change for other young people through the creation of their Bereavement Support Plan."
For more information, please visit cancerfundforchildren.com/resources
