The National Centre for Childhood Grief (NCCG) will this week deliver a free workshop to school counsellors based across the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions who support the needs of grieving children.
Designed to increase awareness around the needs of bereaved children, the NCCG’s intensive workshop on ‘Children’s Grief’ will be held on Thursday, 7th March at the University of Newcastle’s New Space campus in Hunter Street.
Greater Charitable Foundation has committed $40,000 to support the initiative, with the 25 places available proving to be in high demand.
The program aims to reach school counsellors who are seeking the skills and knowledge to better support grieving children, young people and the broader school community.
Greater Charitable Foundation is partnering with NCCG over the next 12 months to deliver this workshop as well as support the distribution of ‘Grief Resource Packs’ to 200 rural and regional primary and high schools throughout NSW.
Dr Elizabeth Mann, NCCG Clinical Director, highlights the value its outreach services deliver to teachers, parents and carers who are supporting bereaved children.
“Our programs and resources are internationally-recognised and our portfolio of work has assisted thousands of children and their families over the past 25 years.
“This year NCCG celebrates its 25th anniversary, and in this time has established and maintained a free and unlimited service that provides grieving children with the much needed support and resources they need to learn to manage their grief and go on to live fulfilling lives,” said Dr Mann.
Taking part in the workshop is Wellbeing Coordinator at St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock, Mr Aaron Hodges. He highlights the value of the NCCG resource packs in helping educate the schools wellbeing staff on the best ways to manage and support children dealing with grief and loss.
“We have more than 1,000 students across years K-12 that all respond differently when faced with situations involving loss or grief,” said Mr Hodges.
“It is our role as care givers to recognise when these children are suffering and be armed with the skills and knowledge to help them work through their bereaved state and manage their emotions.
“This is the first time, as a Wellbeing Coordinator, I have had access to a tailored set of resources and a training program specifically focused on grief and loss to help navigate age appropriate methods of assisting children facing devastating life circumstances, such as separation of parents, which is probably the most common issue we see arise” said Mr Hodges.
Greater Charitable Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Anne Long, is passionate about this cause and proud to assist the NCCG in delivering such an invaluable service to those who are charged with the important task of nurturing the mental wellbeing of young people.
“The NCCG is Australia’s only provider of free and unlimited specialist bereavement counselling for children and teenagers,” said Ms Long.
“Our funding will not only enable education to school counsellors through the interactive one-day workshop, but it will also provide information to service providers in regional NSW through the distribution of tailored resource packs.”
For more information on the work of the NCCG and the educational resources available visit https://childhoodgrief.org.au
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