Death is the final taboo – and it's something we need to talk about

A major international conference aimed at supporting children through the trauma of bereavement and loss is to be hosted by Dove House Hospice in Hull this summer.

The hospice, which cares for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families, is inviting teachers, health professionals and wider community groups to its fifth international conference – Children and Loss: Time to Listen – at Hull Truck Theatre on Friday, June 18.

The hospice will draw on its experience working with schools and other organisations to care for children experiencing loss and bereavement to stage the latest conference as part of its public health programme.

The aim is to guide schools, universities and other education providers, as well as those working with children, to introduce the topics of death and dying, grief and loss at an earlier age, empowering communities and neighbourhoods to be supportive when children need it most.

Nic MacManus, head of practise development at Dove House Hospice, said: "Often, it is adults who find it difficult to talk about death as they feel uncomfortable facing their own mortality. Children would talk quite readily about it yet they are often excluded when a family experiences bereavement or loss.

"This conference is about empowering not just teachers and school staff but the wider community, including youth groups, the clergy, parents and carers so they feel comfortable talking to and supporting children.

"By giving them the information they require to help children, we hope it will cascade down into the community so children are helped whenever and however they need care and support."

People attending the conference will gain a greater awareness of the "Grief Matters" agenda relating to children and bereavement as part of the Government's End of Life care strategy, he said.

They will gain insight into children's experiences of the death of the parent and how to help them tackle the life-changing event as well as understanding the importance of being proactive instead of

reactive.

Tackling death – often regarded as the final taboo in much the same way as Victorians regarded the issue of sex – at an earlier age can help children to understand their emotions and prevent negative behaviour which can emerge years later if a child is ignored or excluded from the grieving process.

Those attending the conference will also tap into a valuable network of professionals to meet and exchange ideas on supporting children as they deal with overwhelming feelings of loss.

Teachers and school staff, health professionals, clergy, parents, carers and social and youth workers will be among the audience, benefiting from a greater understanding of how a child deals with loss and bereavement.

Conference speakers include Alison Penny, co-ordinator of the Childhood Bereavement Network, Brenda Mallon, a counsellor and psychotherapist specialising in bereavement and Sukhwant Kaur, team leader for Minority Ethnic Achievement at Hull's Children and Young People's Services.

They will address topics including "Grief matters for children in school", "How you can help children and young people who experience loss" and "A child's perception of immigration from India to the UK" and the subsequent feelings of loss and culture and sense of belonging such a move can provoke.

For the first time, people can also attend a "Lost for Words" workshop the day before the conference at Priory Park in Hull to assist them in achieving a greater understanding of the subject.

Mr MacManus said: "People often think they need to be a counsellor but, really, all we need is to be human.

"We are saying that everyone can play a part in helping and supporting children who are dealing with death and dying, grief and loss."

For more information on the conference and the workshop, contact Dove House Hospice on 01482 785783 or email education@dove house.org.uk