AFF often receives enquiries asking for information on bereavement support. Understandably, bereavement can be a very difficult time, not only for the immediate family, but the wider community too, and the loss of a child can be particularly challenging.
AFF Health & Additional Needs Specialist Karen Ross looks at the specific support available to the armed forces community…
DANDELION MILITARY FAMILIES (DMF)
DMF is a grassroots organisation committed to improving military parental health and early parenthood experiences for the tri-service community.
Founded by three military mums who have experienced perinatal mental health challenges, DMF recognises the unique circumstances that military families face and is dedicated to supporting and creating connections for families in early parenthood.
What sets DMF apart is that it is focused on the mental and emotional impact of military life on parenting.
DMF currently provides online peer support to individuals on a one-to-one and group basis. It has created a caring and non-judgmental online peer support forum on Facebook called Dandelion Connect, has teamed up with Reading Force to set up an online book club and launched online peer support groups to encourage connection and reduce loneliness within the military community.
DMF is also proud to have partnered with the national bereavement charity Sands to support military families who have experienced pregnancy and child loss. These groups are held online and run monthly.
For more information, email dandelionmilfamilies@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
DEFENCE CHILD BEREAVEMENT NETWORK
Corporal Hollie Davis MBE was key to creating the Defence Child Bereavement Network after having lost her son to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2020.
The Army Child Bereavement Network was set up in July 2021 but this quickly became a tri-service network including partners and veterans.
The network offers peer-to-peer support, signposting to organisations who can provide help and to charities who provide care packages for bereaved parents.
For more information and support, search Defence Child Bereavement Network on Facebook.
SUPPORT FOR BEREAVED CHILDREN
Other organisations which support younger members of the family with bereavement include:
FAMILIES’ ACTIVITY BREAKS (FAB)
FAB is a tri-service charity that provides challenging and fun activity holidays around the UK for bereaved military families.
FAB Camps offer a week away for bereaved military families, so they can meet and socialise with others who have also experienced a similar loss.
This year’s camps will be held in Wales from 26 July to 2 August and in North Yorkshire from 2 to 9 August. See fabcamps.org.uk
SCOTTY’S LITTLE SOLDIERS
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved military children and young people.
It provides support and guidance for its beneficiaries throughout their childhood offering respite from the loss and grief of losing a parent.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers gives assistance to families in three services. If you are interested in becoming a member, visit scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk
OTHER SUPPORT
Child Bereavement UK: childbereavementuk.org
Cruse Bereavement Support: cruse.org.uk
Lullaby Trust: lullabytrust.org.uk
Winston’s Wish: winstonswish.org
Sands: sands.org.uk
Make a Wish: make-a-wish.org.uk
Give Us Time: giveustime.org.uk