North Devon charity’s powerful new project helps children through loss

A Barnstaple-based charity is launching a new series of art workshops aimed at helping children and young people cope with the loss of someone close to them.

Families in Grief (FiG) is holding the free workshops at the Landmark in Ilfracombe, beginning on Thursday 6 November. The sessions will run weekly from 5pm to 7.30pm for those aged between 11 and 18.

The initiative follows the success of a similar project held last year at The Burton in Bideford, which culminated in a public exhibition titled Say Their Name at Affinity Outlet over the festive period.

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Families in Grief (FiG) says bereavement “is an issue that affects us all – even those who are still learning to understand the world”.

Recent research by Child Bereavement UK revealed that one in 29 children between the ages of five and 16 have been bereaved of a parent or sibling – the equivalent of one child in every average class.

The charity said: “Even though grief touches so many of us, we still find it hard to talk about. That silence can leave young people feeling lost, confused, and unsure how to move forward.”

Families in Grief says it has made it its mission “to build a community where children, young people, and families are supported to understand, express, and move through grief with compassion, connection, and hope”.

Last year, the charity launched a series of art workshops at The Burton in Bideford, which culminated in a public exhibition at Affinity Outlet titled Say Their Name.

The workshops, led by local artists, “offered a chance for bereaved young people to explore their feelings around grief through the medium of art”. They “proved a resounding success”, and the resulting exhibition “was a hit at Affinity Outlet throughout the festive period”.

This year, the workshops will return at the Landmark in Ilfracombe, offering “support and connection for young people experiencing grief” and “an opportunity to celebrate those who have died by creating beautiful artwork in their honour”.

After the workshops, the finished pieces will be displayed in a public exhibition at the Landmark throughout Christmas and New Year.

The sessions will begin on Thursday 6 November and will run weekly from 5pm to 7.30pm. They are free of charge and open to young people aged 11 to 18.

For more information or to book a place, contact etelka@familiesingrief.org