Bereaved children’s support group receives funding boost

Jon Kane, trainee area sales manager for Redrow Homes (left) and Redrow sales consultant Michael Deegan (right) met bereavement support worker Nicola Isherwood (centre) at Once Upon a Smile’s headquarters

A support group for bereaved children from Middleton and Oldham has been awarded £1,200 by home builder Redrow to cover its venue costs for a whole year.

Run by the charity Once Upon a Smile, the group of children and their families meets once a month at Snakes & Slides, in Middleton.

There are crafts and games and children can laugh, cry and celebrate their loved ones, while interacting with other youngsters to learn that they are not alone in their grief.

The donation from Redrow was provided though the company’s Oldham Community Fund, which has shared a total of £5,000 between good causes that help people and communities in the Oldham area.

Kelly Willison, bereavement development manager at Once Upon a Smile, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded £1,200 from Redrow’s Oldham Community Fund. This grant will enable us to fund the venue hire at our monthly Middleton group for a whole year. Our Middleton support group was set up in 2018 after we identified a severe lack of support in the area.

“Many of the children have attended one-to-one sessions at Once Upon a Smile, however, the need for continued monthly support is required as grief never goes away and there will be times during the year that they will be faced with overwhelming feelings of grief, such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and more.”

Lesley Myers, sales manager for Redrow Homes (Lancashire), said: “Having visited Once upon a Smile at their headquarters, and been moved by the amazing work they are doing, we are so pleased to be able to provide this funding.

“This local group means children don’t have to travel far for vital support and can meet others nearby who are also experiencing the overwhelming emotions of grief, so they don’t feel isolated.”

Redrow’s Oldham Community Fund was launched following the opening of the Saddleworth View development, in the Moorside area of Oldham.

To find out more about the support and services offered by Once Upon a Smile, visit:

• www.onceuponasmile.org.uk