Parents' bereavement support group to be held in Inishowen

Bereavement support group Anam Cara is holding an information session in Donegal for parents who have experienced the death of a child.

The session will be held at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, on Tuesday, September 9 from 7-9 pm. The following morning, a second session at the same venue, aimed at professionals who come into contact with bereaved families, will run from 10am-12.30pm.

The free events are a collaboration between Anam Cara, an all-island charity which provides parental and sibling bereavement support, and First Light, which provides counselling to families who have experienced the death of a child up to 18 years of age in the Republic of Ireland. 

Anam Cara’s vision is to have a society where no bereaved parent has to grieve alone and all families who experience the death of a child meet with understanding, support and compassion.

The information events in Donegal are aimed at ensuring people in more isolated communities know that support is available. Both sessions will be facilitated by psychotherapist Georgia Howard, who is also the clinical services director of First Light. 

“At Anam Cara, we know that the death of a child changes everything in a parent’s world,” said Anam Cara CEO, Michelle Reynolds. “The grief is lifelong and unique and it can feel very isolating, especially when those around you may not fully understand. That is why specialised bereavement support is so vital.

“These upcoming events in Donegal are a chance for parents to find information, comfort and connection in a safe space, where their loss is acknowledged and their child is remembered. “We are mindful of the vital role professionals play in supporting families, and these bereavement information events offer an opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen understanding together. “We are especially grateful to be joined for these events by Georgia Howard from First Light, whose experience and insight will add such depth and value. 

“No parent should have to make this journey alone and Anam Cara is here to ensure they don’t.”

According to Ms Howard, when fear leaves us frozen, life quietly calls us back in and therapy can gently guide people toward the way forward.  “Your overwhelming feelings after your child’s death are a normal, natural response to a traumatic loss,” she said. “Therapy can help you make sense of what you are experiencing, and you can begin to understand what happened to you.”

Parents wishing to attend the evening event on September 9 can register here

Professionals can register for the morning event on September 10 here 

.