Blog: Exciting move to bigger premises for the hospice eBay team! By Gavin Peach, ecommerce manager

,

I joined the hospice as ecommerce manager in May 2021, taking care of the charity’s eBay site and team to raise vital funds for local hospice care.

The eBay site is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month! After launching in March 2009, the hospice has sold over 18,000 items online, has 1,900 followers and has a 99.9% positive feedback rating which we’re very proud of!

I’m delighted to let you know that we’ve recently relocated to a new, larger premises on the Ringstones Industrial Estate in Bridgemont, giving us more space to expand and develop online sales.

To maximise the potential of this venture we need your help! If you have computer and photography skills, or an interest in antiques, designer clothing, rare books, and other bespoke and rare items, we would love to have you as a member of our volunteer team. The extra space allows us to increase the capacity of our volunteer base and consequently, boost the volume of listings and sales to support the charity.

We are also looking for donations of items that we can sell on our eBay platform such as antiques, designer and vintage clothing, photography equipment, games consoles, electronics, rare books and jewellery. If you have any such items, we would be very thankful if you would consider donating them to us.

If you have yet to visit our online store please do take a look and add us to your favourites. You will be sure to find a wide range of items; whether you are a model rail enthusiast, amateur photographer, or want a new outfit for a special occasion, we are certain you will find something to suit your needs.

By making a purchase or volunteering your time, you will be helping us continue to raise money for the hospice and make a real difference to our patients.

To celebrate moving to our new premises, we’re offering customers a 15% discount on our eBay site for two weeks – from 7am on Monday 8th April until 7am on Monday 22nd April. Anyone can claim the discount who enters the coupon code ‘BLYTHE15’ at checkout (the only exceptions are model railway items).

Support us by shopping on eBay.

If you’re interested in volunteering with the eBay team, or you have potential items to donate, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Find out more about general volunteering opportunities at the hospice.

/by

Gala ball to celebrate 35 years of hospice care in the High Peak

,

Our fundraising gala ball in Buxton is set to celebrate 35 years Blythe House, and tables are now available to book.

We’re hosting our 35th anniversary gala ball on Friday 28th June 2024 at the Pavilion Gardens, with sponsorship for the event generously provided by TF Jackson Portable Buildings of Buxton.

The hospice was founded in memory of Stan Blythe back in 1989 by Reverend Betty Packham. Stan left Betty £1,000 in his Will when he died, after Betty cared for him the comfort of her home.

Betty, who sadly died in 2022, explained previously about Stan: ‘For the last four months of his life, he had a bedroom overlooking the garden, listening to and identifying the birds. Stan had a peaceful death enveloped in the loving care of his many, many friends.

‘Stan left me £1,000 and I knew immediately that I wanted to build a hospice in his name. Blythe House is a fulfilment of that dream – a memorial to a wonderfully warm and brave man.’

Dancing through the decades
The hospice fundraising team is now incredibly excited to be organising a gala ball to celebrate the charity’s milestone occasion.

The event will include a sparkling drinks reception from 7pm, delicious meal, a raffle, live auction with some amazing, exclusive prizes, and live music from popular local band, Purple Cloud of Funk. Tables of ten are available to book, with gold and silver packages available.

Local support stronger than ever
Rachael Gee, our fundraising and events coordinator, is organising the gala ball. She said: ‘We are so incredibly grateful to TF Jackson for sponsoring this special event to celebrate the hospice’s 35th year. Their generous donation means that income from the table sales and fundraising on the night can be spent directly on local patient care.

‘Our sincere thanks also go to the team at the Pavilion Gardens for being so flexible and accommodating; M Markovitz Limited for sponsoring the drink’s reception; to members of High Peak 1 radio station team for being our event hosts free of charge; and to Airstream Photobooth for providing a unique opportunity to capture photos and memories from the evening.

‘It now costs £2million every year to keep hospice services running; that’s just over £5,479 per day. The hospice receives less than 20% of its income from the government and must raise over 80% through fundraising events like this one. Support from local businesses is just staggering and we are indebted to everyone for coming together to help us to host what’s set to be a very special night celebrating 35 years of hospice care. The fact that we’ve made it to this big milestone is a testament to the support and love we receive from the community. We simply could not do it without you!’

Portable building and cabin specialist, TF Jackson is based in Harpur Hill, Buxton. Managing director, Martin Balshaw, said: ‘We are delighted to support Blythe House as it celebrates its milestone anniversary with this very special fundraising event. We’ve been proud to support the hospice for a number of years now with sponsorship and the donation of gifts in kind.

‘For us at TF Jackson we can see the difference that our support is making, and we know that all the money raised at the hospice’s fundraising events is spent so wisely supporting local people and their families. We’re really looking forward to celebrating on the night alongside many other dedicated hospice supporters.’

Book a table before it’s too late
Tables of 10 from £750 are booking quickly so get in touch to secure your table soon. A £900 gold package includes all the evening’s entertainment as well as two bottles of red and white wine, one bottle of fizz, and a company name in the event brochure.

For more information or to book a table, please call Rachael on: 01298 384105 or send Rachael an email.

/by

Council funding sees warm space return to Blythe House

,

Local residents are being warmly invited to enjoy a welcoming space at Blythe House Hospice during the colder months.

We have received a £700 grant from Derbyshire County Council to host events throughout January to March for local people feeling lonely, or struggling to heat their home in the winter.

The Derbyshire County Council website explained: ‘[The grant funding] follows the success of a scheme last year which helped to fund more than 150 spaces supporting Derbyshire residents during the colder months. Between them, they provided 17,000 hours of warmth and company for almost 11,000 Derbyshire residents.’

Julie Forrest, our volunteer manager, said: ‘After the success of our warm space last year, we are really pleased to be able to welcome local people again throughout the winter to join us for a hot drink, the chance to meet new people, play some board games, and to pick up information and advice. It is totally free and everyone is welcome so please come along and make use of our facilities.’

Staff and volunteers at the hospice will be hosting a warm space from 9am to 4pm on Fridays between:

  • 12th – 26th January
  • 9th – 23rd February
  • 8th – 29th March

The first Friday of every month (5th January, 2nd February and 1st March) are the hospice’s usual monthly coffee mornings from 10am to 12 noon, which everyone is welcome to attend.

To find out more, call: 01298 815 388, or visit this webpage.

/by

TREE-mendous! Christmas tree recycling service is best yet, raising over £8,000 for hospice care

,

Our Christmas tree recycling service has raised over £8,000 for local patient care – the highest amount raised in the campaign’s history.

The treecycle initiative, sponsored by Home Instead High Peak, took place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th January, across the High Peak, Hope Valley and Derbyshire Dales.

More than 550 real Christmas trees were collected from SK17, SK22, SK23, S33, S32 and DE45 postcodes, with support for the 7th year running from S ‘n’ S Trees in New Mills.

Sophie Wheeldon, our senior community fundraiser at the hospice, leads the campaign. She said: ‘I’d like to say a genuine thank you to everyone who was involved in making our treecycle initiative the best it has ever been! The amount of trees registered beat last year’s total by more than 200! There is always a great buzz and camaraderie amongst staff and volunteers, as everyone works together so well to coordinate collections and dropping trees off for chipping.

‘Sincere thanks to Home Instead High Peak for sponsoring the campaign, meaning that every single penny donated can be spent directly on patient care. Also, to Simon and his team at S ‘n’ S Trees for supporting the event once again; without them we simply wouldn’t be able to facilitate the collections.

‘We send our gratitude to our amazing volunteers, as well as colleagues from Cemex UK, NQIS Ltd and Enterprise Buxton, who supported us with tree collections; Buxton and Bakewell Rugby Clubs, The Travellers Rest at Brough, and Markovitz in Tideswell for allowing us to use their car parks or yards for tree tipping and chipping. Also, to 1st Taxal Scouts who leafleted in their local community to raise awareness of the service, as well as Morrison’s in Buxton, Pug and Pudding in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Sett Valley Café in Birch Vale, and Katie’s Diner in Dove Holes, who donated food and hot drinks for our hardworking volunteers.’

Supporting a ‘fantastic’ local charity
Simon Dowell, owner of S ‘n’ S Trees, said: ‘I am so pleased to have been involved in making this year’s treecycle campaign the best yet! I am proud to support the hospice after it has cared for beloved family members and friends in the past; it’s a vital local service and one that we must all support to ensure it’s around for many more people in years to come.’

Paul Vickers, director at Home Instead High Peak, commented: ‘We have been a proud support  er of Blythe House over the last 15 years and delighted to support the valuable work that they do. We are so glad that the treecycle campaign has been so successful; it’s fantastic to see people putting their trees to good use whilst raising valuable funds.’

Steve Garret, 1st Taxal Scouts leader, said: ‘A very important role for the Scouting movement is supporting the local community. There are many deserving causes, but finding activities which can be run safely during an evening meeting is difficult. Leaflet drops in support of such a fantastic local charity is a great way for 1st Taxal to contribute in a meaningful way.’

Will Batterbee, Buxton Rugby Club chairman, commented: ‘I am proud that a community-focused organisation like Buxton Rugby Club can contribute in a small way to helping such a fantastic charity like Blythe House, who do such good, essential work in the local community.’

Supporting community initiatives
All trees have been chipped and donated to local community initiatives including to Alistair Macbeth of Buxton Micro Dairy. He said: ‘We were so grateful to accept the tree chippings which we will be using as a mulch to support new hedges that we are planting this winter. The use of wood chip will help to suppress weeds and grasses that would outcompete the young tree saplings. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the donation of this woodchip; it’s great to see these largely discarded trees being used to grow new trees.’

Save the dates in your diary for hospice fundraising initiatives throughout 2024.

/by

Dunes, drifts and determination: Take on a Sahara Desert bucket list challenge in aid of local hospice care

,

Adventurous souls are being invited to find out more about taking on the ultimate desert walking challenge in aid of North Derbyshire hospice care.

For the very first time in our history, we’re hosting an epic overseas fundraising expedition to the Sahara Desert in March 2025.

The 6-day bucket list trip will see participants trek across the Moroccan Sahara Desert, taking in sand dunes, vast plains, and ancient dried-up river beds.

The hospice is hosting an information evening from 7pm on Thursday 25th January 2024 for interested people to find out more about the incredible challenge from tour experts, The Different Travel Company.

Rachael Gee, fundraising events coordinator at the hospice, said: ‘We are so very excited to be offering this once-in-a-lifetime adventure for the first time ever in the hospice’s history. It is an amazing opportunity for people to put a firm tick next to a bucket list item, whilst raising much-needed funds for local hospice care.

‘The trek in the Moroccan Sahara will give people an insight into the infinite and diverse landscape, as well as the local way of life. Participants will spend two full days and two half days trekking across the third-largest desert in the world, enjoying sleeping under the stunning night sky, and Berber cuisine.

‘The money raised from sponsorship will be used to fund the care that Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust provides across North Derbyshire, for services including at-home hospice care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, counselling and bereavement support.’

It costs £2million every year to keep hospice services running; that’s just over £5,479 per day. The charity receives less than 20% of its income from local NHS Integrated Care Boards and must raise over 80% through fundraising initiatives like this one.

To register your interest in the information evening, please contact Rachael on: 01298 384105, or send an email.

Photos credited to The Different Travel Company.

/by

North Derbyshire charity mourns the loss of its founder and patron, Dr Louise Jordan

,

Staff and volunteers at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust are deeply saddened that one of the charity’s founders and patrons, Doctor Louise Jordan, has died.

Dr Jordan died peacefully at home on 23rd December 2023, after being diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis (a rare form of motor neurone disease), in 2021.

The highly respected local general practitioner was instrumental in the founding of Bakewell-based charity, Helen’s Trust back in 2001; established in memory of Helen Lyon from Froggatt, after she died at home following her diagnosis with breast cancer. Dr Jordan led the charity and was chair of trustees until 2020.

The aim of the charity was to enable other patients across rural Derbyshire Dales communities to have the same choices that Helen had done – to be cared for and die in the comfort of their own home.

For a quarter of a century, Dr Jordan treated patients at Baslow Health Centre, where she also starred in The Real Peak Practice, a television show broadcast in 2015 about the day-to-day management of the rural surgery.

In 2020, Helen’s Trust merged with fellow local end of life care charity, Blythe House Hospicecare, in order to extend hospice care to more patients at home across the High Peak, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire. Following the partnership with Blythe House, Dr Jordan joined the board of trustees and served as deputy chair.

Tim Mourne, chairman of the board of trustees at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, said: ‘Everyone at the hospice is deeply saddened to hear the news of Louise’s death, and our thoughts are with her husband Rob, all her family, and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. I am comforted to know that Louise died peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones, with support from the Blythe House and Helen’s Trust Hospice at Home team, just as she wished.

‘Louise was a caring, highly respected and dedicated local GP for many, many years, and her commitment to good end of life care and ensuring her patients had a “good death” was profoundly clear through her professional work, and also her devotion to Helen’s Trust.

‘The charity came a long way since its inception over two decades ago, and our mission remains the same as its founders first intended: to provide free care and support to local patients who wish to spend the remainder of their days in the comfort of their own home, with their loved ones beside them. It’s thanks to Louise and her enthusiasm, devotion, and foresight, that the charity is where it is today. Her legacy will be remembered and carried on for years to come.’

At the hospice’s annual general meeting in November 2022, Dr Jordan was acknowledged for decades of dedicated service, by being made a founding patron of the charity.

Speaking at the AGM back in 2022, Ruth Brown, member of the hospice’s board of trustees and close friend to Dr Jordan, commented: ‘I have known Louise for many years since being an auxiliary nurse at Baslow Medical Centre, to becoming community matron after undertaking my nursing degree.

‘Louise changed the landscape when she came to the surgery – everyone was so excited to have her there. She was dynamic, innovative; she put caring for an ageing population in a rural community on the agenda, and we featured on the television show, The Real Peak Practice.

‘I have learnt so much from her and keep all Louise’s great advice in my “tool box,” from speaking to patients with such respect and compassion, to sharing bad news with patients and their families. I bow to you Louise, and I thank you for everything you have achieved in your long and celebrated career.’

Read about the 2022 hospice AGM.

/by

A Christmas message from Tim Mourne, chairman of the board of trustees

,

Throughout this year, we have overcome snowstorms, won awards and launched a brand-new service – keeping our patients at the very heart of everything we’ve done. It is hard not to smile as I think back on 2023 and everything that we have achieved together.

Thanks to unwavering dedication from you – our staff, volunteers, patrons, fundraisers and supporters – we have helped more local patients and families this year than ever before.

Our Hospice at Home, Community Hub and Counselling teams have worked meticulously together to provide the highest level of joined-up care to our patients, ensuring that everyone who needs our care, is able to access it and at the earliest opportunity from diagnosis, right through to bereavement.

I am sure you will enjoy reading about the true impact of our care and what it has meant to local people and their families by visiting the ‘Our stories’ area of our website (link below), where people have been kind enough to share their words and explain what a difference hospice care made to them at the toughest of times.

I am incredibly proud that we launched our brand-new Roaming Car service in June, providing urgent nursing care through the night, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to patients with a life-limiting illness across North Derbyshire. Many of these visits are for people needing urgent medications in the night and will have avoided the need for ambulance transfers, A&E department input, or hospital admission; keeping patients where they wish to be: in the comfort of their own home.

We are committed to ensuring patients across North Derbyshire receive equity of high-quality, palliative and end of life care. For many families, nighttime can be a lonely and scary place; and this is where the idea for the Roaming Car service came from. Our winter appeal in 2022 was dedicated to raising funds for the service. At that time, I don’t think anyone realised that six months later we’d have the car and be running operationally. It’s all thanks to the appeal and the generosity of our local community.

Alongside a special event at Matlock FC to launch the new Roaming Car service, we have also celebrated national hospice awareness initiatives throughout the year including Dying Matters, Carers Week, Volunteers’ Week and Hospice Care Week, with open days, marketplaces, and education and training events for healthcare professionals.

Our high street shops and eBay online store have continued to thrive, with support from donors and shoppers as positive and kind as ever. Our shops have been a part of the local community for 28 years, and they have received incredible support ever since. This year saw the refurbishment of the much-loved toy and children’s department at our Whaley Bridge store, to a flurry of positive feedback from our community. If you’ve taken the time to pop into one of our shops, or visit our eBay site this year, I thank you sincerely for your support. Next year, we look forward to the opening of our brand-new shop in Matlock, and a larger eBay and ecommerce unit in Bridgemont – please keep your eyes peeled for further information on this!

A special thanks goes as always to our legion of dedicated and hugely respected volunteers who support us every single day of the year in clinical, retail and fundraising roles. It has been said before, but we quite simply would not be able to do what we do without you – we are indebted to your service.

Support from local residents and businesses has never wavered throughout 2023; we’ve had walks, runs, balls, coffee mornings, celebrations, galas and everything in-between, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to support hospice care across our communities. This year also saw the launch of our Business Club, with over 30 local businesses already signed up to support the hospice in many different ways.

We were proud to start our journey alongside Derbyshire LGBT+ earlier this year towards Rainbow Accreditation, ensuring inclusive practices to support all staff members, patients, supporters and visitors. This is an ongoing project with valuable input coming from members of the LGBT+ community, and we look forward to sharing continued updates with you.

I’d like to send my congratulations and best wishes to staff members who have accomplished some fantastic results and qualifications this year. Jessica Wood, finance administrator, achieved a merit and a distinction in her AAT Foundation Diploma accounting courses. Becca Gregory, fundraising manager, achieved a distinction in her fundraising diploma from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. Poppie Staden, digital marketing apprentice turned full-time marketing and communications officer, received a distinction in her level 3 digital marketer apprenticeship qualification, and won the Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year accolade at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards.

Finally, I’d like to round off by saying a genuine and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the hospice throughout 2023. Your commitment to the cause and steadfast devotion is plain to see; in everything that we have achieved together throughout this very special year.

Next year, we look forward to commemorating the hospice’s 35th anniversary with a number of unique events and fundraising opportunities.

For up to date news, information and events from the hospice, and for an opportunity to read our poignant patient and family stories, explore our website.

You can also sign up to receive our email newsletter directly to your inbox.

I’d like to wish a wonderful Christmas alongside those who mean the most to you, and all the best for 2024. It’s going to be an exciting year, and I am proud and delighted to lead the team into the New Year with enthusiasm and admiration,

Tim

Tim Mourne, chairman of the board of trustees 

/by

Jogging in a winter wonderland – Hospice Santa supporters raise estimated £10,000

,

A record number of more than 400 people have raised an estimated £10,000 for local hospice care after taking part in a Christmas-themed 5k jog.

The Jingle Bell Jog – hosted by Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust – returned to the Pavilion Gardens for its sixth year on Sunday 10th December.

The festive event – which 355 adults and 58 children registered for – was due to take place on Sunday 3rd December but had to be postponed due to heavy snow across the High Peak. Some participants unfortunately could not attend the rearranged date, so undertook their own, virtual races when the weather improved.

Participants dressed in their Santa finery for a relaxed 5km route, alongside a 700m fun run for children and young people.

Rachael

Rachael Gee, fundraising and events coordinator at the hospice, organises the event. She said: ‘We were disappointed to have to postpone the Jingle Bell Jog due to the snowy weather, but the reorganised event was incredible as always. We’re set to raise an amazing amount of money that will go directly towards supporting local patients and their families who are facing a life-limiting illness or bereavement.’

‘Huge thank you to everyone who made it such a success including our participants, volunteers and spectators. We are truly grateful to our headline sponsors, iBottles, who have supported the event for the second year running – showcasing their real commitment to our cause.

‘I’d also like to say a sincere thank you to iBottles for donating the goody bags and fantastic gifts for the 5k runners, and to other event supporters including Lhoist for sponsoring the medals; Up and Running in Sheffield for donating race numbers, and Buxton Water for donating bottled water.’

David, Julie and Pip

Julie Goodwin took part in the event on Sunday 10th December alongside friends and family, Pip Gregory and David Cook, in memory of her husband, Mick who died in December 2019.

Mick’s whole family accessed care and support from the hospice before and after he sadly died. Julie said: ‘Emma, the nurse, was brilliant; we cried an awful lot on her shoulder, and my granddaughter saw the children’s counsellor; everyone really was brilliant.’

Emilie and her Grandma

Emilie Baker and her mum, Joanne took on their own jog on Saturday, 9th December, in memory of their treasured Grandma and Mum, Florence.

Emilie explained: ‘My Grandma was always telling my mum and me how much the hospice had helped her, and she wanted to give back too, so she used to go to the shop and buy something after each of her sessions to raise a little bit more to help others. It’s so important to help raise money for such an amazing cause because Blythe House not only helped my Grandma, but helps so many people on a daily basis. I just want to be able to give something back to be able to help others.’

Nicola and Alison

Nicola Whitelaw took part in her own very snowy Jingle Bell Jog on Sunday 3rd December alongside friend, Alison, following her diagnosis with breast cancer earlier this year.

Nicola said: ‘I was aware of Blythe House before my diagnosis but I didn’t know the hospice supported people in the community – I thought it was for end of life care! I found out about the Breast Friends group at the hospice through a running friend and I am hoping to join the group. I decided to sign up to the Jingle Bell Jog as a recovery goal! I want to raise awareness of the incredible hospice, Breast Friends group, and breast cancer in general; if this helps support or helps one other person then some good has come from this!’

Super early bird registration is now open for next year’s Jingle Bell Jog on 1st December 2024. Sign up now for just £7 before Friday 22nd December 2023.

/by

TREE-rific news! Our Christmas tree recycling service now open for registrations

,

Residents across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales are being invited to register their real Christmas tree for a New Year recycling service, to support local hospice care.

We’re hosting the annual ‘treecycle’ scheme on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th January 2024 – with registration now open.

We’re working in partnership with Simon Dowell, owner of S’N’S Trees in New Mills, to collect real Christmas trees from SK17, SK22, SK23, S33, S32, DE45 postcodes.

Local home care business, Home Instead is kindly sponsoring the initiative, meaning that as much money as possible can be spent directly on patient care.

Residents can register online and are invited to give a donation to support the hospice’s vital services. All collected trees will be chipped and donated for use locally including on allotments and farms.

The hospice is on the lookout for local people who are able to support the tree recycling service, by either donating their time, or lending a van to transport trees. Hot food and refreshments will be available for kind-hearted volunteers.

Sophie Wheeldon, senior community fundraiser at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, spearheads the campaign. She said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Simon for lending his time and expertise to support our Christmas tree recycling service, and to Home Instead for their very kind sponsorship.

‘The treecycle scheme is such a convenient way to recycle your Christmas tree following the festivities; knowing that it’s being reused for community initiatives and supporting local patients who have a life-limiting illness, and their families.

‘We’d be delighted to hear from anyone – an individual or a local business – who is able to support the treecycle scheme, to enable us to raise as much money as possible for the vital services that Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust provides. Please do get in touch if you’re able to help us.’

Simon and his team have supported the charity with the scheme since 2017, helping to raise over £10,800 for local hospice care. Simon commented: ‘I am delighted to be supporting the amazing work of the hospice for the seventh year with the treecycle campaign. The hospice has supported members of my own family in the past and so it means a great deal to me to be able to utilise my skillset to give something back. We have seen increases in support from local communities year on year, and so I am hoping that 2024 will be the best year yet!’

Paul Vickers, director at Home Instead, commented: ‘We have been a proud supporter of Blythe House over the last 15 years and delighted to support the valuable work that they do. The treecycle campaign provides a really useful service and it’s fantastic to see people putting their trees to good use whilst raising valuable funds.’

Registration closes on Tuesday 9th January 2024. Register your Christmas tree for recycling.

To offer your support of the scheme, please call: call 01298 816 995 or email.

/by

A collection of books to support children and families facing death and bereavement – blog by Rachel Leech

,

To commemorate Children’s Book Week from 6th to 12th November 2023, Rachel Leech, lead counsellor, has put together a list of some of her favourite books that she recommends to families and children who she is working with.

Parents and caregivers rightly worry if they’re faced with having incredibly tough conversations with children and young people about the heavy subjects of death, dying and bereavement. We panic about saying the wrong thing, causing unnecessary hurt and distress, making things worse, and children being too young to fully understand what’s going on.

The books below are some of my recommendations (in alphabetical order), and why I feel they will really help you to open up those tricky conversations. All of the links are to Amazon; however, this is just for illustrative purposes and you may wish to buy or read the book via your local library or high street book store:

Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley – Heartfelt book about a much-loved Badger that knows he must soon die, so he does his best to prepare his friends. When he finally passes away, his friends are grief-stricken, but one by one they remember the special things he taught them during his life. By sharing their memories, they realise that although Badger is no longer with them physically, he lives on through his friends.

Calm – Mindfulness For Kids by Wynne Kinder – Mindfulness is a big word for a simple idea – it is paying attention, with care, to one moment at a time. The perfect introduction to mindfulness, this children’s book teaches kids how to be mindful by focusing their thoughts and noticing the world around them using fun activities.

Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine: Your Activity Book to Help When Someone Has Died by Diana Crossley and Kate Sheppard – a beautiful memory book that children can complete including activity suggestions for the whole family.

Starving the Anxiety Gremlin by Kate Collins-Donnelly – Not a children’s book but an invaluable book for adults related to children aged 5 to 9, offering techniques and strategies to help with anxiety and worries.

The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside and Frank Rodgers – A fantastic story for emotional literacy that encourages children to open up conversations.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff – A beautiful story for children who are struggling being apart from family members or friends. Not about bereavement but talks about maintaining the connection, so also helpful with bereavement or life-limiting illess.

The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer by Julie Stokes, Jane Fior and Peter Bailey – This book provides children with easy-to-understand information about cancer. I use this frequently to offer families a way to talk openly in an age-appropriate way when someone is diagnosed with cancer.

The Whole Brain Child by Dr Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Daniel Siegel – Another book for adults offering insight into child behaviour with strategies to respond in a neurologically developmentally helpful way.

When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide To Understanding Death by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown – This is a question that I often find adults struggle to work out how to explain to children. The book covers topics including what does alive mean; why does someone die; what does dead mean; feelings about death; saying goodbye; keeping customs; what comes after death; and ways to remember someone. It also has a useful glossary at the back addressing the meaning of words such as cremation.

Why Do Things Die? by Katie Daynes and Christine Pym – An excellent flip-the-flap book for young children explaining what is alive and what isn’t (teddies etc.) with simple and child-friendly questions answered.

I hope that if you’re a parent, grandparent, guardian, school staff member or carer who is struggling with having to have these incredibly complex and difficult conversations with a child in your care, that amongst some of the recommendations on this list, there is a suggestion or two that might be of interest to you.

I am incredibly proud that my team and I work so hard to support young people aged from 4 to 18 years old across the local community with a counselling and play therapy service, which includes a specially-adapted play room full of toys, arts and crafts activities that children can utilise to express themselves when talking is sometimes too hard.

You may also find another article on our website interesting to read – written by myself alongside a colleague who has now retired back in 2021 to commemorate Dying Matters Awareness Week. We blogged about how to open up and have conversations with to children about death, dying and bereavement. Read it online now.

Find out more information on our counselling and bereavement service.

If you’d like to talk to me directly about any of the issues raised in this blog, I’d be delighted to speak to you via: 01298 875 080.

/by