St Margaret's Hospice has initiated their ambitious Summer Appeal, with a goal of collecting £30,000 in essential funding.

This is an effort to perpetuate the provision of support to children and young people grappling with the ordeal of a parent's illness and subsequent loss. The hospice's steadfast commitment to these vulnerable families has made a profound impact, prompting a call to the community to unite and offer their support.

The need for St Margaret's support is increasingly evident as the hospice encounters more young families requiring their services daily. This includes children who have lost a parent while under their care, with the hospice's Family Support Team readily available to guide them through the ordeal.

The dedicated Family Support Team at St Margaret's provides invaluable support to families, aiding them through challenging discussions that a parent dreads having with their child. By offering bereavement support and empathetic advice, this exemplary team assists children in restructuring their lives and getting ready for the journey that lies ahead.

St Margaret's has an exceptional method of assisting these young ones through their Samsara bereavement group. Samsara offers a unique weekend gathering for children aged between 4 and 16 who've lost a parent, facilitating connections with others in similar situations. The children can express their feelings and participate in various activities aimed at helping them process their grief. Samsara combines emotionally engaging discussions and enjoyable activities to furnish children with the skills necessary to navigate grief and transform their emotions constructively.

Joanna Hall, the Director of Fundraising at St Margaret's, volunteered at Samsara last year and personally experienced the life-altering impact the group can have on children and young people.

"It was such a privilege to be a part of Samsara and see the children change so dramatically in just two days," Joanna said. "So much amazing work was done to support children during the weekend but the memory of one teenage boy I met has stayed with me ever since.

"When he arrived at Samsara with his hoodie up, he didn't want to speak to anyone and was angry with the world for taking his Dad. But just 48 hours later he left with his head held high, his hood down and a big smile on his face. He talked about what the future looked like for him, and this wouldn't have been possible without Samsara.

"Thanks to the team he was able to open up in a safe, non-judgmental space and find the courage to share what he was thinking and feeling which was amazing to see. We want to give more children and young people across Somerset the tools to cope so they are in a better position to deal with grief and what may lie ahead for them, but we can't do this without the support of our wonderful community."

Donations of any amount can make a genuine difference to the lives of these children. A gift of £25, for instance, could provide a one-to-one session for a child who has recently lost a parent, equipping them with an emotional toolkit to adapt to their "new normal."

Each contribution brings hope to young lives devastated by the loss of a parent, allowing them to heal and flourish.

Join St Margaret's Hospice on their mission to give children the tools to cope by supporting their Summer Appeal after losing a parent. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these young people.

To donate to St Margaret's Summer Appeal, visit www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/summer-appeal-2023