A new Bereavement Group for parents will meet on Thursday 17th of September at 7.30pm at Foundation House, The Square, Aylesbury Street, Wolverton. Any parent who has lost a child is welcome to attend.
This group is run by parents and supported by Milton Keynes Hospital staff, who established the group and deliver support in a voluntary capacity.
Children’s Community Sister Ursula Ghaleb, said: “This is the first group set up to support bereaved parents in the Milton Keynes area. The support group is very important because the death of a child is one of the most painful experiences that a parent can go through. The bereavement support group provides a place for parents to talk about grief, fears, and other feelings, which can be there after the death of their child.
“Contact with another parent who has gone through a similar experience can be a source of great help in learning to live with the loss of a child, and in overcoming the enormous sense of isolation parents can feel.
“We are committed to ensuring that the group thrives in the Milton Keynes area. Whilst our first meeting, held in June 2009, was attended by only a small number of bereaved parents, it was very clear that the participants felt an informal support network is crucial.”
The bereavement group meetings will evolve as more parents share their experiences.
Those who work with loss, for example, Bereavement Officers or Chaplains, as well as bereaved parents and their extended family, are welcome to come along.
Parents will run the meeting, but Milton Keynes Hospital staff who are qualified professionals, and have experience of supporting parents who face the death of a child, will also attend the meeting.
If you are interested in attending the event, please contact Ursula either in writing or by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Ursula Ghaleb (RSCN), C/o Foundation House, The Square, Aylesbury Street, Wolverton, MK12 5HX.
In 2008 the Paediatric Community Team at Milton Keynes Hospital was honoured by the Trust’s Staff and Volunteers Recognition Scheme for delivering a support group for children and families with cancer in their own time.
The voluntary service was developed by the Paediatric Community Nursing staff to meet the differing needs of children and families through their cancer treatment. The service provides an opportunity for the parents and children to meet in a non hospital relaxed setting to provide mutual support and information.
The group was developed after staff identified a need to develop the experience of the whole family. The time given by the nursing staff is on a voluntary basis
