Campaigners are calling for a renewed focus on the children who have lost their parent or carer during Covid-19, warning their plight has dwindled in the public consciousness as the pandemic desensitises us to loss and grief.
Campaigners are calling for a renewed focus on the children who have lost their parent or carer during Covid-19, warning their plight has dwindled in the public consciousness as the pandemic desensitises us to loss and grief.
At least 10,000 children have been bereaved of a primary caregiver across the UK due to the pandemic according to research published in the Lancet[i] in July 2021. And over 50,000 children have had a parent, guardian or carer die from other causes over the last 20 months[ii].
As childhood bereavement support services across the country mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week (18-24 November), charities are asking the public to listen to bereaved children and young people and understand how important it is to them to receive support when they are grieving. Their words have been captured in a series of word clouds, with an overwhelming message of support, community and acceptance.
Gail Precious, Coordinator of the Childhood Bereavement Network, said:
“The number of children bereaved during the coronavirus outbreak should be national news. But after over 20 months of dealing with the pandemic, we have become desensitised to those grieving all around us. We have stopped listening to the bereaved, particularly children and young people. These children are often trying to cope under-the-radar of those around them, unheeded and invisible.”
The charities have also asked bereaved children and young people what they would say to another bereaved child or young person who is not yet receiving specialist support. The sector is acutely aware that with the increase in bereavement, there are children out there who could benefit from being in a welcoming environment to support them around their grief. Again, children have endorsed the vital work offered by childhood bereavement practitioners.
The United Kingdom has a network of charities and other organisations supporting children, young people and their families dealing with grief and bereavement, and supporting local schools and children’s professionals too. The sector has seen fundraising income cut substantially as the pandemic impacted on many core fundraising activities and challenges. This Children’s Grief Awareness Week, campaigners are calling on the public to support their local service or organisation so this vital work can continue into 2022.
For more information visit: https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/about-1/what-we-do/our-priorities/childrens-grief-awareness-week and get involved on social media using #SayTheWords.
Notes
- Global minimum estimates of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood and deaths of caregivers: a modelling study
- https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/about-1/what-we-do/research-evidence/key-statistics
About Children’s Grief Awareness Week 2021
Children’s Grief Awareness Week is a chance for us to come together to show our support for bereaved children across the UK. Organisations across the UK show solidarity with grieving children, young people and their families in their community; raising awareness of their needs and how to help; and fundraising for their service.
This year, Children’s Grief Awareness Week 2021 is focused on the benefit of support, hearing directly from the children and young people themselves. We know that the numbers of bereaved children and young people have sadly increased. We know that there are many more children and young people who are dealing with grief because someone close to them has died during the last year. We want bereaved children and young people to #saythewords about what support means to them, highlighting the difference support can make in their lives.
Children’s Grief Awareness Week is organised by: the Childhood Bereavement Network, Child Bereavement UK, Grief Encounter, WAY Widowed and Young, and Winston’s Wish.
The week was initiated by Grief Encounter and the Childhood Bereavement Network.
For more information visit: https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/about-1/what-we-do/our-priorities/childrens-grief-awareness-week