Scottish children’s charity The Archie Foundation has launched a new book designed to help support young children following a bereavement.
Storm Clouds and Rainbows has been written by the team at Archie’s Child Bereavement Service (ACBS), drawing on many years of experience of helping youngsters to process feelings of grief.
The beautifully illustrated book, brought to life by Aaron Gale at Doric Books, features Archie, the charity’s mascot, holding a child’s hand and walks readers through a series of activities, journalling and discussion points.
Children are prompted to share their feelings, memories, photos and drawings of the special person they have lost, including making a memory jar or box.
The book’s launch is being supported by a Storm to Rainbow challenge on social media, which invites followers to share their photos of storms or rainbows to raise awareness of the resource.
Caitlin Parkin, bereavement support worker at ACBS, was involved in the creation of the book.
“We are so proud of Storm Clouds and Rainbows and hope it will provide support and comfort, particularly to children aged between five and 12 who have experienced the death of someone close to them,” she said.
“We worked as a team to pool our experience of working directly with bereaved children, their families, schools and support networks, and we gathered feedback directly from bereaved children to compile this book of activities to guide them through their loss.
“By providing young children with support and tools they can use throughout their lives, we hope to help them to better understand their grief and emotions. Every child is different, and we believe that with appropriate support, information and guidance all young people will manage their grief.”
Memories are an important part of the grieving process, said Caitlin.
“Looking at photos or movies and remembering happier times reminds the child that memories are still special and these have not been lost,” she added. “The book helps the child to build a memory box, gathering special items which hold memories of the person and their unique relationship to them.”
ACBS’s team of bereavement support workers and volunteers provide a wide range of services, which are tailored to suit the individual needs of each child and their family.
Following an initial conversation by phone, the team decides how best to support the child or young person.
This can range from providing specialist books to help a child understand what the death of a loved one means and to understand their emotions to craft sessions, group events and activity days.
The Archie Foundation supports babies, children and families during a hospital visit or stay, as well as following a bereavement.
Archie has helped children and families across the north of Scotland for 25 years, funding specialist roles and projects at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and, more recently, at Highland Children’s Unit, Tayside Children’s Hospital and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
In March 2022, the ACBS service expanded to include Tayside and Highlands, where there are experienced volunteers supporting children and families.
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation, or https://archie.org/bereavement/ for details of the Archie Child Bereavement Service.
Copies of Storm Clouds and Rainbows are available through the Archie Child Bereavement Service or the book can be purchased for £10.