Richmond’s Hope offers Bereavement Support for Pupils in Dunbar

Richmond’s Hope were able to open a base in Dunbar in October 2024 thanks to financial support from the East Lothian Education Trust. The Dunbar service operates two days a week & is staffed by two Therapeutic Grief Practitioners (TGPs), enabling support for 20 children per week - approximately 60 children per year.  In addition to this service being in the local community, it relieves the need for families to travel into the Edinburgh base. Opening the base has had a truly life-changing impact on bereaved children and young people who are coping with loss at a very difficult time in their lives. Over the 2024-25 year, across all bases, we have seen a 54% increase in the number of children being referred for bereavement support, highlighting the growing need for this vital service.

During this reporting period, families coming to Richmond's Hope have reported significant progress in the behaviour of children, reporting that they are better able to share and understand their feelings relating to bereavement and how those feelings impact on their daily lives. From our evaluations over the last 6 months there was an 88% reduction in children displaying behaviour of withdrawing from family and friends following bereavement support.

We have provided meetings with parents/carers of children from East Lothian. These meetings are a time for parents to get information on how children may react to grief and factors that can affect the grieving process. Many parents simply need reassurance that what they are doing and saying to their children is helpful. There are some parents who need some advice and coaching on the right kind of age-appropriate language to use with children, especially very young children. 

The generosity of the Trust has been crucial in helping Richmond’s Hope continue to meet rising demand and ensure that children and families are not left without support when they need it most.