Families experiencing grief will soon have the opportunity to access specialist bereavement support through a new programme at St Helena Hospice, thanks to a generous grant from the Charlie Watkins Foundation.
The announcement of the “Chat with Charlie”, comes ahead of National Grief Awareness Day on 30th August. The family programme will provide dedicated support for bereaved children, young people and their families, helping them navigate grief, express their emotions and build connections with others facing similar experiences.
Families will come together in a safe, supportive environment where parents can share experiences and receive guidance, while children and young people take part in creative activities such as making memory boxes, sharing stories and exploring their feelings through art. The sessions are designed to help families process their grief together while reducing feelings of isolation.
The programme is named in memory of Charlie Watkins, whose father and twin brother set up the Charlie Watkins Foundation. Charlie’s mother, Sarah, was cared for by St Helena Hospice before she died from cancer when he was nine years old, and her death had a profound impact on his mental health as he grew up. Charlie took his own life in 2017 at the age of 22.
In his memory, his father Tim and twin brother Harry established the Charlie Watkins Foundation. Managed on their behalf by ECF, the Charlie Watkins Foundation raises funds to support young people who may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
Having experienced first-hand the long-lasting impact of bereavement, Tim and Harry recognised the need for more support for families adjusting to life after the death of a parent or partner. Their funding of Chat with Charlie will help local families receive the guidance they need when they need it most.
Tim Watkins explained:
“The impact of losing his mum at nine years old stayed with Charlie throughout his life, and as a family we know first-hand how deeply bereavement can affect children and young people. Through our own experiences, we’ve learned how important it is to have the right support at the right time, and how powerful it can be to connect with people who truly understand what you’re going through.
“While we cannot change what happened to Charlie, we can honour his memory by helping other families facing the challenges of grief and loss. That’s why we’re proud to support St Helena Hospice in launching Chat with Charlie. We hope it will provide a safe and welcoming space where children, young people and parents can share their experiences, feel less alone and find strength in one another.
“If this programme helps families navigate some of the most difficult moments in their lives, encourages open conversations about grief and gives even one child the support they need to cope with loss, then it will be a fitting tribute to Charlie and the legacy he continues to inspire.”
The Chat with Charlie programme will offer a welcoming space where families can share feelings, memories and experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Specialist bereavement staff will be on hand throughout to provide guidance and support, helping families navigate their grief, build resilience, develop coping strategies and support children’s emotional wellbeing.
Alison Gray, Director of Care at St Helena Hospice, said:
“We are so grateful to the Charlie Watkins Foundation for funding our new programme to support families through loss and grief.
“Parents often tell us how hard it is to support their bereaved children while coping with the loss of their partner themselves, and how isolating and lonely this can be. Children also tell us they feel different from their friends and classmates.
“Bringing families together who are going through similar experiences can help them feel less alone. It can be reassuring for children to see that others feel the way they do, which can make a real difference to their emotional wellbeing and help prevent longer-term mental health difficulties.”
Chat with Charlie will begin later this year for families referred to the programme.
Visit sthelena.org.uk/bereavementhttps for information about other bereavement support services offered by St Helena Hospice.
Visit cwfoundation.co.uk about the Charlie Watkins Foundation.