South Tipperary Hospice launches new grief support service for young people

South  Tipperary Hospice Movement (STHM) has launched a dedicated Children’s and Adolescents Grief Support Service for young people aged 4 to 18 who have experienced bereavement.

The new initiative, inspired by the Children’s Grief Centre, aims to ensure that no child, teen, or family in south Tipperary or west Waterford has to face grief alone. 

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The need for such a service, which was set up in partnership with the Clonmel based company Camida, is clear.
According to the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN), over half of all children are bereaved of a parent, sibling, grandparent, or other close family member by the age of ten.

Each year, approximately 30,000 people die in Ireland, impacting countless children and families.

“Children are often the forgotten grievers in our communities. Their experience of loss can last a lifetime. Our vision is to ensure no child or young adult has to grieve alone. We offer a safe supportive place for them to talk about their unique experience and feelings,” said Eileen Cronin, board member of South Tipperary Hospice.

The new service provides one-to-one sessions with experienced support workers, all trained in working with children, grief, and loss.

ADDRESS FEARS
The approach is based on the successful model of the Children’s Grief Centre in Limerick, focusing on helping children and young people better understand and normalise their feelings and address any fears so they may begin to heal.

“We have reached out to all primary and post-primary schools in south Tipperary and west Waterford to inform them of this new service and it has been very warmly received. By engaging with schools and community groups, we hope to reach those who might otherwise struggle in silence,” said Eileen Cronin.

The service is grounded in national best practice, drawing on the Irish Childhood Bereavement Care Pyramid.
This framework, developed by the ICBN and supported by Tusla and the HSE, recognises that while most bereaved children can be supported within their families and communities, some require additional help, and a few need specialist intervention.
The service is being introduced because the South Tipperary Hospice is of the belief that there is a demand for such a service, having examined how the grief centre in Limerick operates and how it has grown.

“There is a significant demand for children’s grief support in Tipperary. While services like the Children’s Grief Centre in Limerick, Barnardos, Rainbows Ireland, and Anam Cara offer support, access can be limited by geography or waiting lists. The new STHM service aims to fill this gap locally, ensuring timely and accessible support for families in need. Grief is a journey, and with the right support, children can learn to live with their loss and move forward,” said Eileen Cronin.
Hospice Board member Michael O’Loughlin, former Principal of the Presentation Secondary School in Clonmel, said the service would help a lot of families in south Tipperary and west Waterford.

“This service will play a vital role in supporting young people and their emotional well-being when dealing with difficult circumstances in their lives.Primary schools face significant shortages of councillors, there is no counselling system for them and secondary schools are often unable to give that dedicated support due to other reasons. This support system will be of great benefit for many families and will help them access the help that is needed,” said Michael O’Loughlin.

CAMIDA
“For years Camida has provided wonderful support to worthwhile causes and everybody in the South Tipperary Hospice is delighted that the company is partnering with us on this initiative. We are grateful to Camida for supporting us in our endeavour to provide such an important service in the community,” said Sean O’Donovan, Chairman of South Tipperary Hospice.

David Anchell, Chief Executive Officer of Camida, said the company was proud to be supporting the South Tipperary Hospice organisation in the new initiative and in the development of such a valuable support service for young people.

TRAUMA
“The impact of trauma on people in their lives is huge and the younger that person is the more impactful that trauma may be,” said David Anchell.
He said it was very important that there are support services there to look after young people and help them when there is a bereavement in the family.

“We are very happy to get behind the Hospice on this service. It should be of enormous support to young people and their families as they face difficult life challenges,” said David Anchell. He said that his company, although its business was not local, Camida received a huge flow of goodwill and support in Clonmel and the locality .
The company, he said, wanted to contribute to the generation of that goodwill in the community and did so by supporting so many worthwhile causes.

“Because the company is so involved in the community by supporting good causes it creates a very good spirit among our staff and everybody knows of the excellent work being carried out in the community by the Hospice and everybody associated with Camida is very pleased to give our support to South Tipperary Hospice,” said David Anchell.
Referrals for the service can be made directly by parents by contacting South Tipperary Hospice Movement at 052 6127721 or email southtipphospice@gmail.com The service is free and confidential.

The introduction of the new service has been widely welcomed by leaders in education in Tipperary including Louise Tobin, Principal St Joseph’s Tipperary Town and former president of the Irish Primary Principals Network.

“The work of the South Tipperary Hospice Movement in widening its services to help children and adolescents who have experienced bereavement will be a very valuable service in the south Tipperary area.

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“Children and young adults need help and coping strategies to manage grief after the loss of a loved one. I believe this well-researched and vital service will give the children of south Tipperary the support they need to understand the permanence of death and offer much-needed counselling and support to overcome feelings of anxiousness about their own and others health and safety.

“Any help for our young people to support them in their daily lives is most welcome. I have no doubt that this support service will be much sought after and so beneficial for any child or young adolescent who sadly comes close to the reality of the death of a family member or loved one.

“Well done to STHM for this initiative, putting the children and young people of Tipperary central to their great work,” said Louise Tobin.