Strathcarron Hospice service wins NHS award

STRATHCARRON Hospice children’s bereavement service won first prize at the NHS Forth Valley Celebrating Success Awards. Seventy entries were received and 14 projects were shortlisted. As well as receiving a glass trophy, the team received a cheque for £750.

Kirsty Freeland and Sally Paul from the service gave a short presentation at the recent award ceremony.

The Children’s Bereavement Service has been running for two years, funded entirely by donations. It supports children who are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.

It is open to all children in the area because there is no other service in the area to help young people deal with their feelings at a distressing time.

It also provides group support to the parents of young people using the service.

The service lets children meet others who have experienced the death of someone important and talk freely about personal issues with each other.

It also teaches them and their parents about healthy ways of coping when someone important dies.

A hospice spokesperson said: “The programme is facilitated by two professionals and supported by a number of trained volunteers. It has been marketed across health/social services and in schools.

“Referrals can be made by the child themself or anyone involved in their care.

“This cost-effective service has been running for two years. During this time we have served more than 100 children and their parents. The range of death experiences include cancer, suicide, murder and accidents.”