A church-founded children’s bereavement charity has joined calls for a renewed focus on children who have lost their parent or carer during Covid-19. At least 10,000 children have been bereaved of a primary caregiver across the UK due to the pandemic, according to research published in the Lancet in July 2021. And over 50,000 children have had a parent, guardian or carer die from other causes in the same period.

As childhood bereavement support services across the country marked Children’s Grief Awareness Week in November, charities are asking the public to listen to bereaved children and young people and understand how important it is to them to receive support when they are grieving.

Among the charities taking part was Richmond’s Hope, which was founded at Richmond Craigmillar Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, in 1997.

Dr Martin Scott, chief executive of Richmond’s Hope said: “Over the past year, we’ve seen a huge increase in demand for our services. Some of the children we see have experienced extremely challenging situations in their young lives. Covid-19 and isolation have really magnified the impact of bereavement and reduced the access of children and young people to their regular coping strategies – such as friends, family and routine. Richmond’s Hope uses therapeutic play and specialised grief activities as a way to help children preserve memories, identify feelings and develop personalised coping strategies. You can make a donation online at richmondshope.org.uk. and help Richmond’s Hope continue to be there for bereaved children and young people when they need it most.”

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