National Day of Reflection: Tuesday 23 March 2021

Norfolk child bereavement charity Nelson’s Journey is supporting the National Day of Reflection on Tuesday 23 March, and encouraging families to be aware of any activity in schools that may affect their children.

There have been thousands of deaths in Norfolk since the start of the first lockdown due to several causes, including coronavirus. Children who’ve experienced the death of someone significant in their lives have in some cases been unable to attend funerals and memorial events, or meet up with friends and family members who would otherwise be there in person to support them. The National Day of Reflection is a welcome opportunity to reflect as a community on those who’ve died and how we can support each other.

Our Bereavement Support Team suggest that families may wish to speak to their children’s schools if someone has died. We expect a number of Norfolk schools to mark the National Day of Reflection, and children in school on the day may want to be prepared for that. It may be helpful for teachers to be aware of any experiences of death, and how bereaved families feel that their children’s responses to grief can be best managed in school.

Nelson’s Journey’s Support Line service is open for bereaved families to contact by phone on 01603 431788 and email at enquiries@nelsonsjourney.org.uk

The National Day of Reflection has been spear-headed by Marie Curie, with more information at: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/day-of-reflection

An activity that families can do together on 23 March

On the National Day of Reflection, families could use our Memory Bricks activity to share their memories about the special person who died. You can download and print your own Memory Bricks to use here. Otherwise, you could work together and produce a poster or piece of artwork to capture your memories.

Click here to download your own Memory Bricks