Coping With Loss

July 14th, 2016

After losing her husband to cancer earlier this year, Mount Barker resident Felicity Baird reached out to Anglicare SA to seek support for her children with the organisation's Star Bear Program.
 
Standing for support, trust, and respect, the program provides a safe and supportive environment for children to grieve and deal with the loss of a loved one, whether it be a parent, sibling or a friend.
 
Offering two camps a year across South Australia for children aged 5-12 the program gives those suffering a chance to grieve and connect with others who are going through a difficult time.
 
As the only program of its type in South Australia it is strongly sought after by families and children across the state.
 
Struggling with the death of their father after his ten year battle with the devastating disease, Felicity’s daughters Emma and Naomi – aged 8 and 10, attended the camp in April this year.
 
“It was a very difficult time but thankfully I discovered the program through a family friend who’d suffered a similar loss,” Felicity said.
 
“It was important for my girls to realise that there are other people out there going through a similar struggle and the camp did exactly that.
 
“My girls didn’t understand that there were other children who had also lost their dad or another member of their family.
 
“The camp really helped them relate with other children and learn that they are not alone and it is okay to cry.”
 
Anglicare SA Acting General Manager, Community, Sue Christophers said the camp is a great way to get children to discuss their feelings with one another.
 
“The camp assists children in understanding more about death and the grieving process and it gives participants the opportunity to talk with other children who have also lost someone close,” she said.
 
“Many children who come on camp have never had the opportunity to talk with other children who have also lost someone and this helps to normalise their feelings.”
 
With a mentor by each child’s side – they are provided with ample support throughout the whole camp.
 
“The camp leaders help the children understand that there will be times when they feel sad, but also that it’s okay to have fun. If children don’t have the opportunity to grieve, it can lead to long-term issues,” Sue said.
 
With prior knowledge of the success of the camp from a friend, Felicity felt at ease sending her girls – knowing they were in supportive hands.
 
“I wasn’t worried at all about them going away on the camp – I knew they would be supported by their one on one mentor and the other children on the camp,” Felicity said.
 
“They met their mentor two weeks before the camp so they had a chance to connect with them and form a relationship.
 
“It’s great to know that there is something out there for people struggling with the loss of a loved one and I would definitely encourage others to go along to the camp.”
 
The camp is jam packed full of activities to help understand their feelings and remember the ones they have lost.  
 
“The weekend camp starts Friday evening and continues through to Sunday afternoon. It includes a range of activities for children, which aims to help them understand more about grief,” Sue said.
 
“There are art-based activities focused on remembering the person they have lost, some outdoor challenge activities encouraging the children to work together and a question and answer time with a doctor to help the campers understand more about death.
 
“Families also join the campers and leaders for lunch on Sunday; followed by a balloon release with a written message to the person they have lost.”
 
Not to forget, the visit of a life sized star bear upon completion of each camp where each child is presented with their own very special star bear.
 
The program also offers ongoing counselling to families and children at no cost.
 
For more information on the Star Bear Program or Anglicare SA’s other support services visit http://www.anglicaresa.com.au

  Back