Update about our bereavement support for children

In the latest edition of the Lantern magazine we bring you an update about the Yo-Yo Project, our bereavement support service for children and young people.

Team update

We welcome Nicola Champion and Susan Monro, who joined the team just before Christmas. They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in how to
support our young people and their families. Both will work in the hospice and out in schools in the community, offering a therapeutic intervention to our young people but also support and advice to parents, carers and professionals in the community.

Changes to referrals and booking

Our referral criteria have changed for young people wanting to use the service. Only parents, carers and the children themselves can now refer into the service requesting a specialist bereavement intervention. Professionals are able to signpost each family to complete a referral form online through the Farleigh Hospice website.

We also offer consultations for families and professionals who want to find out how to offer support to a young person who may have been bereaved or who is living with someone with a life-limiting illness. You are able to phone in or email the service with this request.

This service is moving towards including a booking service on the website so that the community is able to book in to speak to a trained professional about their concerns for their young person.

Hopefully this will be live by March 2025. Do look out for it and book in if you are not sure whether a young person needs a referral to the service or you would like some advice on how to support them.

Find out more about the Yo-Yo service here

This story is taken from the 2025 Spring Lantern #113 magazine.

(Article first published 1 April 2025)