North Devon Hospice teaches kids how to talk about death and loss

25 Nov 2024, 13:39 by Lewis Clarke · DevonLive

Staff from North Devon Hospice have completed a specialist workshop with pupils from South Molton Community Primary School, to help normalise conversations around death, dying, and loss.

The ‘Death Matters’ workshop, which is delivered for free by trained counsellors from the hospice, is an initiative to mark North Devon Hospice’s 40^th anniversary and aims to educate and support local children to help them learn more about loss and the often difficult feelings that come with it.

Marcelle Palmer, a counsellor from the North Devon Hospice Supportive Care Team, shared more about the workshop and why it’s so important. “Talking openly about death and dying isn't always easy but is incredibly important, especially for young families touched by a life-limiting illness,” said Marcelle. “This workshop was created to help break down barriers and empower the students to talk openly about these important topics that will ultimately touch us all at some point in our lives.”

The ‘Death Matters’ workshop, which was created by Marcelle, consists of three hour-long sessions for KS2 children and utilises stories, film clips, and interactive activities to introduce the themes of death, dying, and loss.

Kate Gallaway, Pinkery Class Teacher at South Molton Community Primary School praised the workshop and the impact it had on her pupils. “While bereavement and loss are subjects on the current school curriculum, they are usually covered in one session, which isn’t always enough time for the children to fully digest and open up about these topics,” said Kate. “To have Marcelle deliver three sessions over several weeks was great as the students got to know her. With each session, they became more confident to share their thoughts and feelings, which was lovely to see.”

As well as delivering classroom sessions, the ‘Death Matters’ workshop also includes a resource pack for teachers including conversation cards, activities, and a recommended book list to help school staff facilitate sessions independently.

“The hospice is offering this workshop to a limited number of local schools across North Devon with the hope of not only encouraging students to feel more equipped when it comes to talking about death, dying, and loss, but school staff too,” added Marcelle.

To find out more about the ‘Death Matters’ workshop and the vital work of North Devon Hospice, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk or call 01271 344248.