"You have made me smile and laugh again"

Rainbows Bereavement Support Programme

We provide training for school staff so they can deliver support groups for children who have experienced a significant loss in their lives.  This may be due to the death of a loved one, or family breakdown/separation.

This programme helps children cope with their grief and feel less alone.

 

Why this is needed

Sadly, one out of every 29 school children have been bereaved of a parent or sibling.  That is one in every classroom.  Incidences of divorce and separation impacting on children are even higher.  As a result many children feel sad, anxious and alone.

Without support, bereavement and loss can cause children to become increasingly isolated and lead to more serious mental health issues developing.  Children’s ability to engage with learning and achieve at school can also be affected.

“I would highly recommend the Rainbows programme to any school…we are delighted to have this invaluable tool to support our pastoral care”

Wendy Clark, Senior Teacher, St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, Herts

 

How we help

Rainbows gives children the opportunity to talk about their feelings with peers in a safe and nurturing environment. This helps them to feel less alone with their grief and to understand there are others who are going through similar experiences.  As a result pupils’ self-esteem and confidence grows and they are in a far stronger position to engage with school life and achieve their full potential.

“Before Rainbows Annie was very guarded and unhappy. She didn’t have any friends and found it difficult to trust anyone. Now the barrier has come down. She has made friends in school and is so much more upbeat and positive”

Louise Billington, Learning Mentor, Longfield Primary School, Harrow

 

The Rainbows Bereavement Support Programme has been developed to cater for children and young people of all ages, with different resources developed for specific Key Stages.

Our Rainbows Registered Director delivers a full day of training on-site in schools to selected school staff.  These staff are then equipped to facilitate the Rainbows support groups.  We provide workbooks and resources for facilitators and children.  The programme is clearly structured and takes place once a week for 12 weeks.

“Thank you for this group… when I am here, I feel the same as everyone else”

Child, aged nine

 

Further information for schools on this programme is available here:Rainbows Bereavement Support Programme – Information Leaflet

If your school is interested in this service please contact us to discuss how we can help.

We deliver this programme in partnership with Rainbows Bereavement Support GB.  For more information please visit http://www.rainbowsgb.org/