We were delighted to welcome a visit from our local MP, Lauren Edwards, to share more about the bereavement support we provide to children, young people and their families across Kent.

During her visit, Lauren, MP for Rochester and Strood, met our team and our Chair of Trustees, Brian Downton, and we talked her through the work we do with children up to the age of 18 who are grieving the death of someone close.

Lauren was keen to understand the growing demand for our services, and we shared details of our 2026 campaign, £350 for 300, which aims to raise £350 for each of the 300 children we expected to support this year. However, as our Clinical Lead Debbie McSwiney noted, we might be nearer supporting 500 children this year.

Debbie explained how our support is for families who know a bereavement is coming, supporting them before and after the death.
She also described how our weekend bereavement programme uses creative therapy including arts, crafts, music and games to help children express their thoughts, feelings and emotions safely and confidently. She also touched upon the training our staff and volunteers receive, plus the support they are given should they need it.

Lauren also heard about our parent and carer support groups from Dawn Bradley, our Parent/Carer Facilitator, as well as our Bereavement Cafés, which she holds around the county to give families a chance to meet others who truly understand what they’re going through.
Our Programme Assistant Caroline Norman shared more about family support outside the bereavement support sessions; a Christmas party held in January, a summer party and how children transform during a weekend with us.

We also discussed the reality that, without us, bereaved children and their families would struggle to find support, as this type of specialist bereavement care is not government‑funded. Our Fundraising Officer Pam Meller, shared with Lauren that our work is made possible entirely through donations, grants and fundraising, including support from individuals, community groups and local businesses.

Lauren asked thoughtful questions throughout her visit and offered us lots of ideas and advice on funding avenues to explore. She also kindly took away our flyers to share with relevant people who may be able to help.

Our CEO, Jules Tobin, said:
“Lauren’s visit enabled us to explain to her what we do, who for and the difference it makes. Raising awareness goes hand in hand with fundraising, because when people know about us, they can support us with time, a donation or help a family to find us. She asked a lot of very welcome questions, and we hope she left knowing much more about what we do and how people can help us to keep doing it.”

Her visit gave us a valuable opportunity to highlight the increasing need for bereavement support in Kent and the importance of continued community backing to ensure no child or family has to face grief alone.