A week to remember for children’s charity

Wiltshire Treehouse, a children’s bereavement charity, will be beginning their 10-year anniversary celebrations as part of their Week to Remember from 18 – 24 November.

The service started life as a much-needed support group for bereaved siblings at the Great Western Hospital, before receiving an anonymous donation of £35,000 which was used to set the group up as a registered charity.

A Week to Remember is Wiltshire Treehouse’s annual campaign raising awareness of the bereavement experiences of children and young people. They support communities to understand the needs of grieving children and young people as part of the wider national movement, Children’s Grief Awareness Week and International Children Grief Awareness Day.

This year they are encouraging people to come together for a coffee morning as nothing beats good company and a sweet treat or two. Wiltshire Treehouse has compiled a Coffee Morning Pack to support your event containing posters and invitations to help you plan and promote your event, information on easy ways to donate, fun photo props for those social media snap shots and some Wiltshire Treehouse cake decorations to add to your cakes.

A spokesperson said: “As we will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary during the week, we would love to invite you to celebrate with us. Perhaps by baking a special cake and recording a video of your coffee morning singing happy birthday which could be shared online.

“In addition to our coffee morning campaign, Wiltshire Treehouse are also holding an Awards Ceremony, celebrating those bereavement champions within our community. We have 4 individual categories for children and adults. Plus, a School Bereavement Champions award. Taking place on Friday 22nd November 6-8pm with guests to include the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Liz Rothschild and local author Kate Claxton.”

Sarah Bear, Business Director, said: “Inspired by receiving the Wiltshire Life Charity of the year award, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate our 10th birthday and give back to our community that has supported us so much.

“With nominations from across Wiltshire and competition steep, we have whittled it down to a short-list of individuals and schools and can’t wait to celebrate and thank them for their commitment to bereaved children and young people.”

In the past 10 years, Wiltshire Treehouse have supported over 2000 bereaved children and young people, plus 4,000 parents/carers. Their work training and supporting professionals has improved the potential bereavement experience for over 164,000 children and young people within Swindon and Wiltshire.

The charity has also provided support for more than 181 children and young people bereaved by suicide in the past 6 years. Starting with 1 ten-hour a week post, the charity now employs 6 part-time staff and more than 30 volunteers who deliver this amazing work. With plans to continue expansion throughout the whole County of Wiltshire, this small charity is set to continue making big waves.

For more information visit: @WiltshireTreehouse