Living with Loss; Healing with Hope
A seminar on 13 September with key speaker Ted Bowman, University of Minnesota
At Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup
Lecture and Workshop with Ted Bowman
Blackledge Theatre, Godolphin School, Salisbury
Saturday 27 September
Cruse Youth Partnership Project Goes to Westminster
By Elaine Roub, NI Regional Coordinator of Children’s and Young People’s Services
During May 2008, four young people from Northern Ireland represented Cruse’s “Ask the Experts” partnership project at a reception hosted by the Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) and MP Edward Davey at the House of Commons, Westminster.
The event brought together a number of childhood bereavement organizations from around the UK to talk with MPs and Peers as part of CBN’s “Grief Matters for Children” campaign. Commented one young participant: “I liked being able to get our point across to adults outside our group,” one young participant commented. Another stated, “We are unbelievably good at coping when we get help.”
Cruse (NI) was privileged to take up CBN’s invitation to give Northern Irish young people a voice in government through the “Ask the Experts” project. This project was initiated by the Cruse Youth Advisory Group, led by Regional CYP Coordinator Elaine Roub. The group had decided in 2007 that the best way to get the message across on how to support bereaved children was through young people themselves making a DVD. Consequently, Cruse (NI) entered a partnership with Marie Curie, Northern Ireland Hospice and Barnardos to develop the project.
In January, 2008, 18 young people from around Northern Ireland gathered at the Share Holiday Village in Lisnaskea to explore together the important themes they wanted their DVD to emphasise, and to learn how to make a film. By the end of the day, young people who had never met before had become best mates through their common history of childhood bereavement and their shared goals of helping others.
The group met again in February, this time for an entire weekend of film-making. Assisted by staff and volunteers from each of the partner organizations, the young people worked in teams to further develop their themes and decide how they would communicate their messages. By the end of the weekend, they had produced the essence of their very own 17 minute DVD, complete with original soundtrack. They had also learned communication skills and gained lasting friendships.
The DVD “Ask the Experts” DVD is now in its second stage of production, and it's hoped it will be ready for release by September.
The Queen pays tribute to Cruse Bereavement Care in Northern Ireland with prestigious Award
Cruse Bereavement Care in Northern Irelandhas been announced as one of 79 volunteering groups from across the UK winning this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.
The prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those awarded have been judged of the highest standard.
See the full press release and the special Queen's Award website
Book Now for the Cruse National Conference, September 2008
Conference in Northern Ireland:
Childhood Bereavement in the 21 st Century
Spectrums of Support for Bereaved Children and Those Who Care For Them
A one-day conference hosted by Cruse Bereavement Care (NI) on Thursday, 18th September 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Armagh City Hotel
Whether you are a parent trying to help your children navigate their way through the devastation of bereavement, or a professional carer working with children and young people, this conference will open for you a window on the world of childhood bereavement. The day offers an overview of our 21st century childhood bereavement landscape, practical resources for supporting both children and carers, and an opportunity to hear first hand the voices of bereaved young people.
SUPPORT FOR BEREAVED MILITARY FAMILIES
Cruse Bereavement Care is awarded a £200,000 grant by the Department of Health to develop services to support military and ex-military personnel and their families who have been bereaved.
A press release about this three year project is here.
A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT CRUSE
From April 2008, Debbie Kerslake becomes Chief Executive and Director of Services of Cruse, the only national charity for all bereaved people, on the retirement of Anne Viney after a tenure of six years.
“Cruse Bereavement Care will celebrate its Golden Jubilee in 2009 so this appointment comes at an important time for us, and I could not be more delighted,” says Debbie, who has guided training and development for the past eight years.
"I feel very proud and privileged to be taking on this role in this wonderful organization."
Anne, commenting on her experience as Chief Executive, added: “In six years with Cruse Bereavement Care I have marvelled at the ability of volunteers to meet bereavement in all its forms, and to be alongside people at the worst time of their lives."
A full press release is available here.
Bereavement Pathways Project
Cruse Bereavement Care and the Bereavement Services Association are developing
a three year pathways project with funding from the Department of Health.
Stakeholder events are planned for February and March 2008.
See the article from the annual general meeting, and the Annual Report and Accounts
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