How to support bereaved siblings
Our article offers some reassurance, and practical advice on how to approach supporting your bereaved child after losing a sibling.
Read moreThere are many different life threatening or terminal illnesses. Some of them can be diagnosed and others not. For example, many cancers can be treated effectively in young people. People respond differently to treatment too so it’s important that you are there every step of the way to support your brother or sister. It’s also important that you discuss your emotions with a trusted friend or adult. The emotions you may have such as guilt, anxiety, isolation or embarrassment are all completely normal. Our Family Support Workers are here to help you through this.
This depends on the illness but is highly unlikely. Most illnesses are not infectious but some are hereditary and passed through your family. If you are concerned about this, it’s really important that you talk to an adult and ask these questions no matter how silly they sound.
People react differently to treatment throughout their stages of illnesses. Some treatments, such as chemotherapy may cause your brother or sister to lose hair, make them tired, feel sick or have sore skin. Treatments can be both physically and emotionally draining. It’s important to realise that this is an important and necessary part of your brother or sister’s journey.
You may have feelings of anger, irritation, frustration or loss as your brother or sister’s illness progresses. Your parents may be finding it difficult to juggle everyday life with the demands of a seriously ill child and you may sometimes feel isolated or left out. This is perfectly normal and our Family Support Workers can also look after your sick brother or sister to enable you to spend time with your parents.
This can be both annoying and scary as the terminology doctors and nurses sometimes use makes no sense and you desperately want to understand what’s going on. Here’s a glossary which is a list of terms which may help you out.
Contact us and we will talk you through all the support options available.
Our article offers some reassurance, and practical advice on how to approach supporting your bereaved child after losing a sibling.
Read moreAnyone can refer a family to us provided consent from the family has been given for the referral to be made.
Make a referralOur article article covers explaining diagnosis and treatment, how siblings might be feeling, and tips on how you can best support them.
Read moreWe support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents.
Find out moreRainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker, giving them practical and emotional support.
Find out moreIn England, there are over 86,000 children with life-threatening conditions. Families face the possibility of loss and daily struggles.
Find out moreBy donating to us, you are helping us support families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
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