The Children’s Group 2025/26 – A Short Overview

The Children’s Group is a monthly, six-session programme which started in November 2025 designed to support children who have experienced hospice at a young age, including those who are pre-bereavement and those who have been bereaved. Co-facilitated by Anna, a trained music therapist, and Peter, a qualified counsellor, the group offers a safe, creative, and supportive space where children and their families can connect, express themselves, and begin to process grief together. 

This six-session model has been delivered in previous cohorts and continues to develop in response to the needs and experiences of participating families. Each cycle of the group builds on learning from earlier sessions, and we look forward to welcoming future cohorts of children as the programme continues. 

At the heart of the group is the use of art and music as powerful tools for communication and connection. Built around a version of the song?“Tomorrow”?(covered by Marisha Wallace), the project encouraged children to explore themes of hope, resilience, and looking forward. Each child selected meaningful lyrics from the song and transformed them into vibrant, personal creations. Across the six sessions, they produced lyric artwork, painted stones, bookmarks, and other expressive pieces, all reflecting their individual experiences and emotions.

A key feature of the group was its structure. Rather than being a drop-off session, parents and caregivers were asked to remain on site in a separate space. This created a dual benefit - while children built peer connections through shared creative activity, parents & carers were given the opportunity to come together, reflect, and build relationships over their own experiences of grief and loss. This parallel supported a sense of community across the whole family, helping to reduce isolation and normalise conversations around grief. 

The group aimed to create a space where children felt understood and supported by other children who had faced similar challenges. Through shared activities and gentle therapeutic guidance participants were able to build relationships, express difficult feelings, and develop a sense of belonging within a compassionate, understanding community. 

Throughout the programme, the children’s artwork was photographed and filmed. These contributions will be brought together, drawing on inspiration from Marisha Wallaces version of ‘Tomorrow’, into an uplifting montage video. This aims to celebrate their creativity, strength, and resilience, providing a lasting reminder of their journey through the group. 

The final session offered a joyful and reflective close to the programme. A special workshop was delivered by a slime expert from Gootopia, where children took part in hands-on slime making and group games, encouraging collaboration, and play. This was followed by a shared pizza meal with families, creating space to reflect on the group experience, recognise progress, and celebrate the connections that had been formed. 

Overall, The Children’s Group provides a meaningful, creative outlet for children navigating grief, while also supporting families to come together, share, and hold one another up in a deeply understanding and nurturing environment. We look forward to continuing to welcome new cohorts of children into this evolving and valued programme.