A GROWING need from children affected by family bereavement is behind the launch of a service in the region.

The Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland, has seen a surge in the number of inquiries from families concerned at the impact of bereavement on children.

In response to this demand, the hospice, in Woodhouse Lane, is launching a Family Support Children’s Service next Saturday.

The launch of the Saturday morning service will be the climax of a week of events at the hospice to coincide with Dying Matters Week – a Governmentbacked national campaign to try to encourage people to be more open about their wishes at the end of life.

Paula Wood, hospice manager, said: “We already provide one-toone support to children who are losing or have lost parents or grandparents, but recently we have seen an increase in the number of children being referred to us for help and we wanted to respond to that demand.”

It is hoped that members of the public will join patients, volunteers and staff to listen and take part in what is planned.

The programme starts at 6pm on Monday, when Gary Heads and Jeanette Blackemore, from the group Living Mindfully, will deliver a two-hour presentation – which will include the therapeutic benefits of circle dancing.

On Tuesday, a one-hour Laughter Yoga session will be presented by therapist Keith Adams.

On Wednesday, from 2pm to 3pm, solicitor Helen Dexter will talk about wills, probate and the care of children and explain the advantages of making advance decisions.

At 5.45pm on Wednesday, a DVD called A Party For Kath will be shown which illustrates the benefits of being able to talk about what is important to someone when they are dying.

At 6pm Saint and Forster Funeral directors present a brief overview of the past, present and future of funerals, followed by bereavement practitioner George Callandar talking about celebrating farewells.

The session will be closed by Alison Hill, manager of Wear Valley Crematorium, who will hold a question and answer session.

On Thursday, Macmillan Nurse Barbara Myers will lead a discussion about talking about an uncertain future.

On Friday, from 11am to 3pm, the hospice will hold an open day, and next Saturday, from 10am to 1pm, it will hold a Family Support Children’s Event.