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Sunflower Service

The Sunflower Service can help children and young people make some sense of illness and loss using a range of activities and therapies.

Sunflower Service

The Sunflower Service at Kilbryde Hospice is a support service for children and young people who have experienced grief, loss and bereavement following a life-limiting illness of an adult close to them.

The Sunflower Service can help children and young people make some sense of illness and loss using a range of activities and therapies. Children and young people can’t always articulate their feelings verbally, so as a hospice, we have a responsibility to help them to express themselves in whatever way is most appropriate.

General Bereavement Support Resources

Resources (books etc.) can be made available*, or if more help is required then confidential support can be offered via the Sunflower Service. This service currently consists of a music therapist and a bereavement support worker. Care will be tailored to the individual needs of the child/young person.

Recommended books for children about loss and bereavement:

Younger Children: (approx. 4-8 though some are also suitable for older children)

  • The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
  • Muddles Puddles and Sunshine by Diana Crossley
  • The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
  • Waterbugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney

Age 9-12

  • When someone has a very serious illness by Marge Heegard
  • When someone very special dies by Marge Heegaard
  • Sad by Michael Rosen

Age 12+

  • You will be okay by Julie Stokes (also suitable for older primary school aged children)
  • A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
  • Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers by Earl Grollman
  • Sad by Michael Rosen

* We usually have stock of most of these titles; however, if you would like to make a donation for books, this would enable us to replenish our stock when we give books to families.

Useful Downloads

Age 5 and under books
Age 5 to 8 years old
Age 8 to 10 years old
Age 11 plus
Talking about death and dying with children

One to One Support

One to one support can take place at the hospice, online using Zoom or by phone. Sessions normally last about 40 to 50 minutes and take place once a week on the same day and time, usually for a period of around 8 weeks.  Sessions can include music, crafts, talking, memory box making  and more.

Who is the Sunflower Service for

This service is open to children aged *5-18 whose family member/relative is or has been under the care of Kilbryde Hospice. *Younger children can also be referred but would need to be accompanied by an adult.

Referrals

For referral to Outpatient Services please ask your GP or specialist nurse to refer you using the following form below. If you experience any delays you can also self-refer for these services. Please call Clinical Admin on 01355 202020 option 3 to speak to one of our team who will take your details.

Download Referral Form

Get in touch with Kilbryde Hospice

Fill out the form below with your personal contact information and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible to assist you.

You can also contact us using the methods below:

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