Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man has launched a new leaflet as part of a campaign to help children and young people who are coping with a bereavement. The leaflet has been written ‘by kids, for kids’ and draws on the experiences of a group of children and young people who have all suffered a significant bereavement. The youngsters who have contributed to the leaflet hope that they can help others by sharing their experiences. The children and young people’s branch of Cruse is called CruzKids and promotes activities which aim to provide support for bereaved children and young people. CruzKids offers 1-2-1 support, residential weekends, family days, regular social activities and mentoring sessions all designed to help children and young people who are coming to terms with the loss of someone close.

The group is jointly run by two co-ordinators, Gill Skinner and Gill Capelen, and they said: “We have a group of children and young people who have real experiences which have changed their lives. These youngsters have been with our group for some time and enjoy the support, fun and friendships which have developed. They are our experts and they wanted to be able to help others and these are their own words and ideas and we’re both very proud of them all.”

The leaflet will be available across the Island and gives details of what helped the youngsters who wrote it, and where to get that vital help from.

The leaflet was designed free of charge by leading Isle of Man communications company MM&C. Rebecca Sayle, the company’s Marketing Executive, said: “We are very proud to be an Isle of Man business, and recognise and appreciate the fantastic contribution which charity and voluntary groups make to the community. Every year MM&C donates agency time to a number of third sector organisations, and we’re delighted to support Cruse Bereavement Care’s CruzKids initiative.”

Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man is the Island’s only dedicated bereavement charity. The service is available to anyone who is bereaved irrespective of the time since the death, the nature of the death or the relationship to the person who has died. Founded in 1988, it is partly funded by a Department of Social Care grant but also relies heavily upon other donations to run the service. The CruzKids Project is supported by Children in Need.

The www.cruseisleofman.org website has details of how to donate to the charity, including the Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man 100 Club. This involves members paying ?5 a month and having the opportunity to win a cash prize each month. All funds raised go to Cruse to help support their work here on the Island. If you are interested in joining the 100 Club email info@cruseisleofman.org. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone or phone 668192 for more information.

There’s also a children and young people’s website – www.hopeagain.org.uk – and Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man operates a helpline – 01624 668191.

Photo - The front of the Cruzkids leaflet.