Children's Bereavement Service
Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Service is a service for children and young people who have lost someone close to them – like a parent or a sibling - through death. While we can't shield children from the reality of death and the pain of loss, we can help them to understand, to grieve and to cope a little better.
It may take some time for a child to talk about death, but getting support and being listened to helps the healing. Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Service is here to help. We work with families to help them to support their child through the grieving process.
Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Service is supported by the Family Support Agency, Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime and ESB Electric Aid.
Our services
There are a number of different services that we provide:
Barnardos Bereavement Helpline Service – 01 473 2110
This unique service is for members of the public seeking information and support . Volunteers operate the daily telephone service, open from 10am-12pm Monday to Thursday. Full training and support is provided. The service recruits volunteers occasionally.
Therapeutic intervention
Specialist bereavement project workers are based in Cork and Dublin but work with children from across the country. We welcome referrals to our services from a number of different avenues:
Referrals will be accepted from any source with the consent of parents/carers.
Parents and carers are welcome to contact us directly.
Referrals can be made through the helpline 01 473 2110 or by contacting our service in Cork and Dublin.
Other agencies can make referrals using the Barnardos Bereavement referral form. This is available on request. Email bereavement@barnardos.ie
The service offered is based on the individual needs of each child and their family. Our service takes into consideration the developmental stage of the child, the child's relationship with the deceased, the nature of the death and particular circumstances of the family.
Training and consultancy
Barnardos also provides training and consultancy for groups and organisations whose work brings them into contact with bereaved children. Email bereavement@barnardos.ie
Research
We undertake research on issues relating to childhood bereavement. Email bereavement@barnardos.ie
Information
Barnardos has developed information and resource materials on bereavement:
Barnardos' Parenting Positively booklet - Coping
with Death
Booklet for Adults
Booklet for Children
Barnardos Guide - Death
Helping Children Understand
Helping Teenagers Understand
BOOK FROM PAT DONNELLY = 'SOMEONE TO TALK TO' - AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE
Contacting Us
Referrals are accepted from parents and families and from other sources with the consent of the family in question. Referrals can be made by contacting the national Helpline or our offices in Dublin and Cork.
Helpline
T: 01 473 2110
Open Monday to Thursday, 10am-12pm
Dublin
A: Barnardos, 23/24 Lower Buckingham Street, Dublin 1
T: 01 8134109
Cork
A: Barnardos, The Bowling Green, White Street, Cork
T: 021 431 0591