Blue Skies – A Group Bereavement Program for children

Based upon a clearly identified service support gap a Group Bereavement Program for children between the ages of 8 and 12 - Blue Skies - is being piloted for a six month period. It will then be evaluated for viability as an on-going support option.

Facilitated by health professionals working together with volunteers, Blue Skies aims to help children recognise, name and develop an awareness of the various emotions associated with the death of a parent, sibling or other family member and encourage them to feel comfortable expressing these emotions. This helps normalise the process of grief for each child and helps them identify strengths and coping strategies.

The program provides a fun filled and supportive environment and enables each child to connect with other children who are experiencing a similar life change. Activities include psycho-educational sessions, play, art and music; and encourage the exploring of feelings, ritual and the development of trust.

Children who have experienced a death in their family can often feel very isolated with their emotions. This in turn can lead to confusion and uncertainty as to what is happening to them. Blue Skies provides an opportunity to reduce the isolation associated with bereavement by bringing children together and enabling them to give and receive support in a shared, creative environment.

The Program also aims to:

• encourage the sharing and expression of the emotions associated with their bereavement in a healthy and constructive way
   
• normalise the grief process for children and increase their awareness of loss as an inevitable and natural part of living
   
• help the children learn how to incorporate the identified strengths and coping strategies into their grief journey.