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Crisis support for families facing the death of their child

Receiving the news that their child has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, is a devastating blow which often throws the whole family into chaos. ‘Normality’ seems to be a thing of the past and routine flies out the window.

A Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker starts working with a family soon after diagnosis and provides whatever help parents and siblings need to cope with the emotional impact of the diagnosis as well as practical support like taking the other children to school or attending hospital appointments.

The Family Support Worker’s role is to care for the whole family, providing emotional, practical, respite and domestic support.

There is no time limit to the support. It is offered for as long as the family needs it. When the family is in crisis 24-hour support can be provided if needed. The Family Support Worker continues to support all the family as the child’s life draws to an end and the family prepare themselves for the death of their child.

The death of a child is devastating for the family and the impact is shocking for everyone involved. Our Family Support Workers develop a strong bond with all the members of the family and do whatever it takes to help the family to cope with the reality of their child’s death and all that is involved in preparing for the funeral.

Giving families the confidence and strength to cope

Many families have told us that they couldn’t have managed without our help during this time and that the combination of professionalism and emotional support is what they needed.

We urgently need the funds to provide crisis support to families at diagnosis and the end of a child’s life; two acute points when families are in greatest distress.

“We saw Val, our Family Support Worker, a lot after our son, Joshua, died. She understood. She knew when we needed silence and she knew when we needed to talk about our son with someone who had known him”

Giving families the confidence and strength to cope

We urgently need the funds to provide crisis support to families at diagnosis and the end of a child’s life; two acute points when families are in greatest distress. Families tell us that Rainbow Trust’s support at these times makes a huge difference to their lives, especially when it comes to trying to maintain a normal life, managing emotions and spending quality time with each other.

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“We’re in awe of the work that Rainbow Trust does. They’re here to make things so much easier…for the whole family”

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