The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies. There is the grief associated with their own loss, but also the reactions and responses of their children to the death of a grandparent. Child Bereavement UK’s animation ‘The Invisible Suitcase’ was the joint winner in the Mental Health Charity film category at the 2023 Big Syn International Film Festival, London. Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving. Give Us A Break is a charity run by volunteers in the Wolverhampton area providing activities during school holidays for children and young people with severe and complex learning difficulties and physical impairments.

Further figures revealed the heartbreaking reality that almost three quarters (73%) of children with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) find break times extremely difficult and in some cases actually frightening, something Owen Cordwell, aged 10, knows only too well: “I have been bullied just because I was in special provision. I never want anyone else to go through that. It doesn’t matter if you are autistic or not, you should not be bullied as we are all people with feelings and no child deserves to be bullied” We have information leaflets about the programme for young people and parents/carers and posters for display in partner agencies. The criteria for eligibility is that the child would find it difficult or impossible to access mainstream activities.The agony of losing a child of any age is unparalleled. There is no age or point in time that makes it any easier. No parent expects to face the death of their child and no grandparent expects to lose their grandchild. Activities provided have included: private hire of swimming, adventure playgrounds, sensory rooms and centres and trips and visits to places of interest.

A parent of children under 18 dies every 22 minutes in the UK; around 23,600 a year. This equates to around 111 children being bereaved of a parent every day. Bullying affects so many children and adults and the results can be damaging for them and everyone around them. If you are suffering, speak up, and if you see it, stand up to it. Please share, even if this makes a difference to one person. You can so this by taking a photo or video of yourself and others by holding up one of the posters below either printed or show on your devices, then tag us in on social media using the links below.The aim of the group is not to provide respite but to provide a safe and understanding environment for children and young people to participate in activities with their families. However some children do attend with a carer or PA allowing the rest of the family to have a break. Other parents and families offer support and there are opportunities to share ideas and information. Children and young people can attend activities with their brothers and sisters and other members of their families knowing that other families will understand and support them. Brothers and sisters are welcome to join in. A London wheeler dealer is extremely put out at having to look after his girlfriend's younger brother from Liverpool. Things change, however, when he discovers that he is a snooker prodigy. It is important to tell a child of any age when someone important in their lives has died, and ideally this is done by someone who is closest to them.