How do we help children open up to grief?
When a child experiences the death of a sibling after a serious illness, their life will already have been greatly impacted.
Read moreWhat is anticipatory grief?
Anticipatory grief is commonly experienced when you know someone is going to die. You may start to experience feelings associated with grief but before your loved one dies. The following article has been written in collaboration with Rainbow Trust's Family Support Workers who have years of experience supporting families with a seriously ill child.
Supporting siblings of a seriously ill child
Caring for a seriously ill child has a huge effect on the whole family, and siblings will be facing unique and challenging emotions throughout. Knowing how to best support siblings can be overwhelming and worrying for parents and carers. Our suggestions are rooted in the experience of our Family Support Workers, who have years of experience supporting families with a seriously ill child.
Looking after your mental health when caring for a seriously ill child
Caring for a seriously ill child can be incredibly challenging and emotionally draining. It is important to recognise that while you’re focused on the needs of your child, prioritising your own mental health and well-being is very important. This article could be useful for the friends and/or family of somebody with a seriously ill child – it may give you some indication of how to best support them or help you understand their experience.
Supporting Bereaved Siblings
It is common for parents to feel worried about how their children may be impacted by the death of a sibling. We hope this article can offer some reassurance, and practical advice on how to approach supporting your bereaved child after losing a sibling.
How to cope with a sibling’s serious illness
The diagnosis of a life threatening or terminal illness in a child is a life changing event – not just for the sick child but for the whole family. Read our expert advice from our Family Support Workers, who have experience of supporting families.
Read more expert advice
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Parents matter
Hearing that your child has a life-threatening illness is one of the most stressful and traumatic experiences that a parent can have.
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The importance of memory boxes
Creating a filling memory boxes can be a helpful mechanism to help children process their grief. Family Support Worker Mandy explains the im
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Coping with Christmas in hospital
Christmas time is for family, but what if your child is spending it in hospital? Read advice from our Family Support Workers on how to cope.
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How Rainbow Trust supports families
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Support for parents
We provide a range of support to parents caring for a child with a serious illness, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
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Support for young people
We support young people and their siblings who have been diagnosed with any form of life threatening or terminal illness.
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Support for children
Our Family Support Workers do lots of play and arts and crafts with children and their siblings who have a life threatening illness.
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What Rainbow Trust does
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Why we help
In England, there are over 86,000 children with life-threatening conditions. Families face the possibility of loss and daily struggles.
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How Rainbow Trust helps
Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker, giving them practical and emotional support.
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We support the whole family
We support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents.
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How you can support us
By donating to us, you are helping us support families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
Donate today
