Children

While babies and young children are affected by stress and distress in the family, they often only have their behaviour as a way of expressing how they are feeling. 

When there is serious illness or an impending or recent bereavement in the family, you may have questions such as:

• What do I tell my child?
• I have children of different ages – what do they need to know that is appropriate for their age?
• How can I help my children cope with what's happening?
• I feel anxious about talking with my child – how can I find the right words?
• What about funerals, and helping children remember?

We would be pleased to help you think through how best to help your children, and where appropriate will give individual support to you, and to your children. You may also find that some family time together is helpful.

Some comments made to us by family members who have sought our help:

"I can talk to my Mummy now more about my Grandad"

"I can talk a lot about Dad now, because of coming to Beechwood"

"I liked playing games and painting. Now my Mum and I don"t argue as much as we did"

"I have enjoyed talking about my worries, and things have changed at home because I used to worry a lot and now I don't"

How to contact us:

Phone Beechwood directly yourself, or a relative or friend may do this for you.

Ask any professional (doctor, nurse, teacher, etc) to make a referral on your behalf.

Young people aged 16 years and over may contact Beechwood independently if they wish.