Dove House Hospice is marking Children’s Grief Awareness Week (17th – 23rd November 2025), joining the national call to support bereaved children and young people. This year’s theme, Sharing Stories, Strengthening Hope, encourages everyone to share experiences of grief and healing, reminding children that they are not alone and that hope can grow even after loss.
Through its Roots of Support Children’s Bereavement Service, Dove House offers counselling and group sessions to help children and young people understand their grief, build resilience, and find their voice.
Matt, whose two sons were supported by the service after their mum died, said: “In the early weeks and months, it looked like the boys were coping, but they were actually holding a lot back,” says Matt. “They didn’t want to worry me. A friend told me about the Children’s Bereavement Service at Dove House, and the boys began having sessions.
“They were a bit cautious at first, but after meeting Jill, the Children’s Bereavement Co-ordinator, they were keen to go back. The sessions gave them a safe space to talk about their mum; things they weren’t ready to share with me. Especially for my youngest, James, it made such a difference. Without that space, I think he would have bottled everything up. As a dad, there are things I struggle to talk about, but Jill made it easier for the boys to express what they were feeling. Her kindness and understanding are something
I’ll always be grateful for.”
Tommy, who lost his mum at 17 years old, added:
“At first, I didn’t know how to talk about my mum dying. I bottled everything up because it was too painful. Meeting Jill gave me a safe space to share what was going on for me.”
“It helped me step away from the chaos that follows a death and really open up. After the sessions, I felt calmer and more able to talk about my feelings. It’s made such a huge difference, I can think about my mum now without the same pain I used to feel.”
Jill Dolman, Dove House’s Children’s Bereavement Co-ordinator, said: “Grief is hard, but sharing stories helps children find strength and hope. Every young person we support shows incredible courage in the face of loss.”
Dove House is encouraging families, schools, and communities to use Children’s Grief Awareness Week to raise the topic of bereavement and help raise understanding of children’s grief.
To learn more about Roots of Support and find out how the service can support you or a young person you know, visit https://dovehouse.org.uk/roots, call the hospice on 01484 785745 or email roots@dovehouse.org.uk
