Shropshire Star

Handmade bereavement bags helping children in Shropshire

A Shropshire nurse has come up with an idea to help youngsters cope with their grief following the death of a loved one.

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Miriam with the handmade bags

Miriam Gilbert, end of life specialist nurse at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (Sath) came up with the idea of creating bereavement bags by hand to give out to children.

They have been filled with a hand-knitted teddy bear, colouring pens and paper – alongside information on dealing with bereavement.

There will also be a coloured memory stone inside for the child as a keepsake.

Their creation was a real family affair, with Miriam’s mother hand-making the bags, her father creating the teddy bears – and even her own children giving their ideas about what to put inside.

Miriam said: “The bags can be given to parents for their children so that they can open up conversations about bereavement and grief.

“They can also be given to a child whilst they are visiting their loved one in hospital to show them that hospitals are places that they are welcome to come in to.

“We have also included pens and notebooks, so they can be used to keep the child entertained during a hospital visit – and also so they can write down their feelings.”

Stones

Miriam says the bags will include coloured stones so that youngsters can keep them, write a special name on them and place them in their gardens.

She said: “It means that when they go outside, they will see the stone and be able to sit and think about their loved one.

“We have also included a ‘Thoughtful Bear’ in the bag – so if a young child can’t talk about their grief, they can talk to the bear instead and tell them how they are feeling.”

Jules Lewis, end of life care facilitator at Sath: “We are always thinking about how we can help our patients and their families.

“This is a fantastic idea by Miriam, and we think it will really help to make a difference at what is the hardest of times for families, particularly children.”

If anyone would like to help Miriam sew bags, or make teddy bears, she would be delighted to hear from them.

They can contact her via email at miriam.gilbert@nhs.net or by calling 01743 261000 ext 3464.