Back to School 2025 Top Tips

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Back to School 2025 Top Tips

The start of the new school year is just around the corner, for a child or young person who has experienced a bereavement this can be an unsettling time, they may be meeting new people, moving to a new school or starting a new routine which can be difficult, so we’ve included some tips for anyone who may be feeling anxious.

 

Write down your thoughts

Write a journal or diary, you can write down everything you are feeling and what you would like to do. Some people write letters to people, that they may never send, just to help get out their thoughts and feelings, seeing everything on paper may make it look more manageable. You could create a Milestone Journal, writing down something that happened that day and adding a photo from the significant event such as starting a new school year.

 

It is ok to ask for help

Talk to someone you trust and tell them how you are feeling, getting someone else’s perspective on your situation can be really useful, it is good to see things from a different viewpoint. Try and be open about your thoughts and avoid being on your own when you are feeling down, why not contact your friends and ask for their support.

Our Senior Child Bereavement Support Worker, Fiona says “You won’t be the only person who will be worried about going back to school. It is okay to talk to your friends and tell them the things you are worried about”.

Our Child Bereavement Support Worker, Duncan says “if you need to know some information or are worried about anything at all, then make sure you speak to an adult in school who you trust. They will want to help you.”

 

Get enough sleep

A good night’s sleep is very important in helping your body and mind cope with stress. We all need to sleep for energy, good concentration and general health. It may help to start developing a healthy routine before you start back it make it easier.

 

Take your time

It can take time to adjust to being back at school, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel comfortable at first. Even when you’re back, make time every day to do something you enjoy.

 

Our Child Bereavement Support Worker, Amy also suggested “If you are allowed to, put something small from home in your pocket like a button, photo or something similar. If you are feeling worried during that day you can touch your pocket or hold your item for a short time to make you feel better and remind yourself that people care for you”

 

All at Nelson’s Journey wish you the best of luck for the new school year.

 

If you require support and would like to talk to one of our team, please call our support line on 01603 431778

Hilltop Activity Days – Summer 2025

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Hilltop Activity Days – Summer 2025

We held two therapeutic activity days for bereaved children & young people at Hilltop Activity Centre in August. Each day was catered for different age groups; we had 14 young people aged between 8 – 17 years old attend on the first day and 12 children under 8 years old on the second day. Across the weekend, we also had a total of 30 parents and carers attend alongside their children.

 

Our activity days are designed to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment where the children can connect with others who have also experienced a bereavement. For the 8 – 17 year olds the activities ranged from outdoor team building on the high ropes to memory jar making, meeting the Pets as Therapy team and a doctor’s question time with GP and Nelson’s Journey Trustee, Alison.

 

One of the defining moments of the weekend is the candlelight ceremony, everyone sat in a large circle in a darkened room, and one by one lit a candle in memory of the person that has died. They then went around the circle again and blew the candles out, giving them the opportunity to say goodbye. It was an emotional weekend, but both days finished with smiling faces and children left with lots of new skills to help cope with their feelings of grief.

 

Our Child Bereavement Services Manager, Rebecca said “On Saturday the young people pushed their limits, demonstrating remarkable physical and emotional courage. With support from Nelson’s Journey staff and volunteers, they shared their stories, honoured their loved ones’ memories and developed strategies to cope with challenging emotions. Their enthusiasm and compassion were inspiring and the support they showed one another was truly exceptional.”

“On Sunday, the children were full of energy and engaged positively with activities to explore their feelings and memories of their special person. Their parents/carers were encouraged to explore their own grief, develop a greater understanding of their child’s grief and how to best support them.”

“A big thank you to all that made the weekend possible; our staff, volunteers and Hilltop staff – also to the families themselves for joining us over the weekend.”

 

If you require support and would like to talk to one of our team, please call our support line on 01603 431778

 

 

Results Day 2025 Top Tips

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Results Day 2025 Top Tips

For children and young people, results day can be a huge milestone and when a significant person is no longer present in their life, it can trigger very difficult feelings associated with grief, sometimes making it even harder to handle these moments.

 

Some children and young people may already feel these absences in the lead-up to significant days such as results day, for others, it may not hit them until afterwards. The journey of grief is unique to everyone and it’s important to take care of yourself and find ways to support yourself if these difficult moments arise.

 

Our Funding & Marketing Officer, Megan experienced her own childhood bereavement at 8 years old when her mum passed away from cancer she said:

“Results day can be such a mixture of emotions for everyone, let alone when you add in the element of grief. For me I feel it sparked up lots of unanswered questions, would she be proud, what would she think of me now and wishing I could tell her what the results were. Overall, it was a happy day for me an opportunity to celebrate all my hard work and that was ok, it’s always ok to enjoy things even when someone significant has died.

“My top tip would be to always remember it’s ok to feel sad or to spend time thinking about the person you are grieving but equally it’s ok to celebrate, have fun or feel happy, it will never mean you miss that person any less.”

 

Duncan, one of our Child Bereavement Support Worker’s top tip is: “You could write a letter to your special person or keep an ongoing diary or journal, with milestones, achievements and even disappointments. You could also include a photo of what you are writing about.

“It’s also important for you to remember that not everything in life is going to work out how you want and it’s okay to acknowledge this in a journal entry too, with maybe how you will reflect and learn from this.”

 

Keeley, one of our Child Bereavement Support Worker’s top tip is: “it could be helpful to plan a moment during the day to remember your special person, such as lighting a candle, visiting the grave or a place special to them, or listening to their favourite song.

“You might like to wear a piece of their clothing, jewellery, or favourite colour on the day to feel connected to them.

“Not all milestone occasions are sad, some can also be days of celebration and joy. Either way, remember to be kind to yourself, allow the tears to come if needed and don’t feel bad if you are happy.”

 

All at Nelson’s Journey wish you the best of luck for results day and for your next steps.

 

If you require support and would like to talk to one of our team, please call our support line on 01603 431778