Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice Introduces Expanded Grief Support Services for Young Grievers
New Programs Support All Young Grievers Who Have Experienced the Death of Someone Significant in Their Lives
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 21, 2024—On Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice is pleased to announce the expansion of its Grief Support Services to reach all young grievers who have experienced the death of someone significant to them. In addition to the current grief services for young individuals grieving the death of a sibling, these expanded services now provide compassionate support for children and youth grieving the death of a parent, caregiver, grandparent, friend, or any other person who is significant in their lives.
According to the Canadian Alliance for Children’s Grief, one in 14 children will experience the death of someone significant, and one child in every classroom is bereaved. “After reviewing available grief services in our region, it became clear that there was a gap in free, specialized grief support for children and youth who have had such a profound experience.” said Megan Wright, Executive Director of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. “With our expertise in children’s and youth grief, expanding our services to reach this population felt like a natural and necessary step.”
Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice is a leader in providing grief services to children, youth and families in the local region. Their renamed “Grief Circles” and “Connections” programs provide inclusive, supportive spaces for families, caregivers, and grandparents who are grieving. The evidence-based programs, facilitated by trained counselors and health professionals, provide a therapeutic environment, offering both closed and drop-in sessions where participants can develop coping strategies, while also connecting with others with similar experiences of grief.
Program Highlights:
- Children & Youth Grief Circles and Connections – Safe spaces for young people grieving the death of someone significant in their lives.
- Parent and Caregiver Circles – Dedicated support groups for parents and caregivers navigating grief and the death of a child.
- Grandparent Grief Circles – Support circles where grandparents can share their unique grief experiences and learn coping strategies following the death of a grandchild.
- Perinatal Grief Circles – Compassionate spaces for parents whose baby died after 20 weeks of pregnancy, up to the first 28 days of life.
Each program aims to create a supportive community where participants can share, heal, and grow in a welcoming environment. By avoiding clinical jargon and using approachable names like “Circles” and “Connections,” Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice ensures these programs feel inclusive and accessible.
Funding for grief services, including this expansion, is made possible due to the ongoing support and generous donations from the community.
Young grievers, parents, caregivers, and grandparents can self-refer to any of our grief programs or be referred by a professional by contacting the Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice Grief Services Coordinator at (613) 523-6300 ext. 4619 or by email at griefsupport(at)rogerneilsonchildrenshospice.ca. A thoughtful intake and assessment process helps our team understand more about the unique care needs and recommended supports.
Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice also offers FREE workshops to families, community members and professionals that work directly with children in the classroom, on the sports field, or in health and social services organizations. Anyone interested in attending this workshop can register on our website.
About Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice
Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice provides specialized pediatric palliative and hospice care, offering physical and emotional support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
For more information or to inquire about the new grief support services, please email Roger
Neilson Children’s Hospice at griefsupport@rogerneilsonchildrenshospice,ca or visit the
website at www.rogerneilsonchildrenshopsice.ca
Media Contact:
Sherrilynne Starkie
PR Advisor to Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice
(613) 400-3654
sherrilynne(at)sherrilynnestarkie.com