Children's charity set to expand to the Highlands offering bereavement support to children, teens and families
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The Archie Foundation is creating thee new bereavement coordinator posts to oversee the expansion.
It will offer children in the North of Scotland tailored support when a loved one dies.
They are also expanding to Tayside.
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation said; “Expansion into Tayside and Highlands is part of Archie’s strategic aim to offer our core services in each of the regions we support.
"The continued increase in demand for child bereavement support in Grampian and the overwhelmingly positive feedback demonstrates to us the vital need for this service.
“We already receive phone calls from families in Highlands, Tayside and even further afield (including London!) looking for our support as they cannot find it in their local area. Our own research shows us that there is no other charity offering a service like ours in Tayside or Highlands.
"Our service is all about kinship and taking the support to the child rather than expecting the family to travel miles for the child to attend counselling appointments.”
In 2021 in Grampian alone, the charity saw a 32 percent increase in referrals received to help more than 200 bereaved children.
They offer a wide range of services tailored to suit each individuals needs, including providing books, activities and one to one sessions.
Malcolm Stewart, Bereavement Services manager, will oversee the roll out of Archie’s Child Bereavement Service into Tayside and Highlands.
He has been with the charity for the past four years, and said he recognises the need for the support.
“We know there are children and families in Tayside and Highlands who also need our help and by expanding our service our aim is to provide support for bereaved children right across the north of Scotland so no child is left to struggle through the grieving process alone.
"The Bereavement Coordinator role is a critical one, as it is the coordinator who takes the initial call, often from highly distressed parents or carers, and then puts together a programme of support for the child, coordinating input and support from other members of the Archie team.”
He is looking for three new bereavement coordinators to oversee the service delivery in the region.
More information and application details can be found online.
