Daisy’s Dream
Daisy’s Dream provides free support for children and young people who have been bereaved and those coping with the impact of a life limiting illness within their family. Ideally in difficult circumstances children will receive emotional support from within their own family unit, but in those situations where the whole family is affected, this may be more challenging. Everyone may struggle in their individual way to come to terms with bereavement or life limiting illness; this can make it hard for them to support the needs of one another, much as they may wish to.
How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?
We have been given a Children in Need Grant to fund a programme of specific tailored support to help those families who have been bereaved through suicide throughout 2018 / 2019.
What are your current priorities?
To provide a therapeutic support group at an outdoor venue where adults and children will be guided by specially trained volunteers and staff to talk through experiences and share their thoughts and feelings, improve communications and establish supportive networks.
To work collaboratively with other organisations supporting families bereaved through suicide to ensure effective holistic support for families.
What challenges are you currently facing?
Often adults want to protect children from the pain death causes. The heightened anxieties caused by suicide may mean that they do not tell children the truth about the cause of death. Daisy’s Dream supports the idea that, however difficult, it is important to tell children the truth about suicide in a way that is appropriate for their age and understanding. We can support adults through this process.