Case study:

28 September 2007

STARS Grief Support Programme in St Helena Hospice, Clacton

Key points

St Helena Hospice in Clacton has set up a grief support programme to help families come to terms with the death of a loved one.

The STARS* programme takes place 4-6 months after the death and consists of an introductory information evening, a special residential weekend for school-age children, young adults and surviving parents and four follow-up sessions at the hospice.

The programme includes therapeutic sessions led by an art or music therapist or counsellor.

There are also social and recreational opportunities to allow peer support systems to develop.

All St Helena family support staff take part in the programme, with most giving their time voluntarily.

In addition the team may call on staff from other organisations such as social workers, youth workers, nurses and fundraisers.

All staff involved receive in-house training and are Criminal Records Bureau checked.

The programme, which costs £3-4,000, takes place once a year but could be repeated more frequently if demand is high.

Evaluations are sent to participants six weeks after the course and have led to some changes.

For instance, the length of the younger children’s course was reduced as a result of comments.

The hospice has subsequently developed a degree module ‘Working with bereaved children’.

*STARS stands for:

Supporting families in coping with the death of someone special in a safe environment to explore feelings and experiences

Talking to other people who have had a similar experience to lessen the sense of isolation

Adjusting to the changes that families face after the loss of a parent

Remembering the person who has died through a range of creative and expressive therapeutic activities

Someone special. Someone unique. Celebrating memories, knowing that you are not alone and feeling ready to move on.