One-to-One Support
Supporting bereaved children and young people
Bereavement can have a huge impact on a child or young person. At Balloons, we provide free one-to-one bereavement support for 5–25 year olds across Exeter, East and Mid Devon, helping them understand their feelings, explore their thoughts and memories, and develop positive ways to manage their grief.
Sessions are tailored to each individual and delivered by our volunteer Grief Support Workers. While not counsellors, our volunteers are specially trained in supporting bereaved children and young people. Support can take place in a school or college setting, or at our office in Exeter.
What happens in one-to-one Post-Bereavement Grief Support?
Our one-to-one post bereavement grief support is usually delivered over 4-6 sessions. These sessions consist of up to an hour’s support each week, delivered by our Grief Support Workers. The content of the sessions are tailored to meet the needs, concerns and preferences of the child or young person. Sessions may involve:
- Talking about the person who has died.
- Exploring feelings in a safe space.
- Creating memory boxes or keepsakes.
- Using creative activities to express emotions.
- Developing coping strategies for school, home and everyday life.
- Building confidence in talking about their bereavement.
If you would like to request one-to-one support, please see below for further details on making a referral.
What happens in one-to-one Pre-Bereavement Grief Support?
Our one-to-one pre-bereavement support usually consists of 1-3 sessions before an expected bereavement. Every child or young person’s experience is different, so our support is tailored to their individual needs, concerns and interests. Sessions may include:
- Talking about what is happening and finding ways to manage uncertainty, worries and anxiety.
- Exploring thoughts and questions about the expected bereavement in a safe space..
- Building confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
- Using creative activities, games, worksheets to express emotions.
- Developing practical coping strategies that can be used at home and school.
If the child or young person wishes, we also aim to offer a death acknowledgement session following the death of their loved one, and can discuss any further support that may be appropriate. If you would like to request one-to-one support, please see below for further details on making a referral.
How to get support
- We always recommend that you first call or email our team:
- 01392 982570
- support@balloonscharity.co.uk
- We’ll talk through your situation and help you identify the most appropriate support.
- In the first weeks after a bereavement, children are often surrounded by family, friends and school support while they begin adjusting to their loss. Our one-to-one grief support is usually offered from around 12 weeks after a bereavement, when children may be ready to explore their grief in more depth. However, our team can provide advice, information, resources and guidance straight away.
If you would like to our referral criteria here, you can find them here:
Get in touch
If you would like to make a referral to Balloons, please contact our staff team on 01392 982570 or email support@balloonscharity.co.uk. Our one-to-one support service is highly valued and demand can be very high. If we are unable to accept new referrals at the time you contact us, our team will discuss the options available and help you access advice, resources and other sources of support where appropriate.
The impact your Grief Support Worker and her sessions have had on Y is amazing, he looked forward to his sessions with her and he has started to talk about his mum with other adults in the school which is a huge step forward for him. A huge thank you for all your support.