Children and families who have been supported by the Archie Child Bereavement Service over the past 15 years are being invited to help celebrate its milestone anniversary.
A birthday picnic will be held at the Ashdale Hall in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, from 2pm to 4.30pm this Sunday, August 11, with fun for families and youngsters of all ages.
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Guests will enjoy a magician, donkey petting, face painting, a visit by police and ambulance vehicles and food including a giant cake.
Now part of The Archie Foundation, Archie’s Child Bereavement Service started out as a committee and has expanded to include support staff and volunteers across the north of Scotland, including the far north, West Coast, Tayside and Orkney.
It has 11 members of staff with a team of 70 highly trained volunteers, supporting up to around 200 children every year.
Bereavement service manager Malcolm Stewart said: “The birthday picnic is open to everyone who has used Archie’s Child Bereavement Service and we are looking forward to welcoming families to the Ashdale Hall for a chance to network and enjoy some food and fun activities.
“The celebration is a chance to reflect on the growth and expansion of the service over the years, from a small committee to a far-reaching service that is part of The Archie Foundation.
“With a strong team of dedicated workers and volunteers we are now able to reach and support even more children who have experienced loss and need some help to work through often complex feelings.”
ACBS bereavement support workers support children following the death of a loved one, classmate or someone else close to them.
The team offers a wide range of services, which are tailored to suit the individual needs of each child and their family.
Following an initial conversation by phone, the team decides how best to support the child or young person. This can range from providing specialist books to help a child understand what the death of a loved one means and to understand their emotions to craft sessions, group events and activity days.
The experienced team also offers advice on effective communication and what to say to parents to mirror what is being shared in school, as well as group and one-to-one sessions.
Archie has helped children and families across the north of Scotland for 23 years, funding specialist roles and projects at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and, more recently, at Highland Children’s Unit, Tayside Children’s Hospital and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation, or https://archie.org/bereavement/ for details of Archie’s Child Bereavement Service.
