STARS Children's Bereavement Support Service

STARS seeks to prevent severe psychological and emotional disturbance in young people affected by bereavement. It aims to prevent affected young people from suffering additional social and economic disadvantage as a result of their bereavement, improve the functioning of their families and ensure they reach their full potential.

The services provided by STARS embrace and respect the individual, religious, cultural and family needs of bereaved young people. They are carried out one to one and in group sessions and include:
• Support for all young people who have or expect to experience the death of a significant person, in order to reduce their long term emotional distress and isolation and to improve the functioning of their families
• The provision of advice, resources and support to parents and carers who are supporting a bereaved young person
• The support of affected young people to identify, acknowledge and address their feelings, behaviour and emotions that are connected with bereavement
• The provision of consultancy services, resources, education and training programmes to professionals connected with bereaved young people to facilitate a greater understanding into the young people’s needs and to equip the professional to support the bereaved young people
• The raising of public and professional awareness into the effects of bereavement on young people and their families.

Founded 2006