How grief support helped siblings after family loss
BBCA brother and sister who lost three grandparents in a matter of weeks have become "happy little people again" after being supported by an Isle of Man bereavement charity, their mother has said.
Ella, 13, said the deaths left her lacking confidence and feeling "very quiet". However, she said attending a CruseKids group for grieving children helped her.
She and her brother Charlie, 11, from Douglas, took part in the Children in Need-funded sessions together.
"Before I went to CruseKids I felt sad," Charlie said. "It made me feel better."
Their mother, Phillipa, said the charity had helped the siblings "get their confidence back".
She explained that losing so many loved ones in 2021 had been a real struggle for her children.
"We lost my mum-in-law, my dad, and then my father-in-law in the space of seven weeks," she said.
"It was a very difficult, tough time, and it was just as we were coming out of Covid as well."
CruseKids, which is part of Cruse Bereavement Support Isle of Man, uses activities such as cupcake decorating to help children build confidence and make friends.
Bereavement specialist Claire Brew said children begin with one-to-one support before joining group sessions with other young people who have experienced loss.
"We have been able to watch those children absolutely flourish and grow," she said.
"They've made some really nice friends. I think what we do has been really important for them."
Brew said the funding provided by Children in Need was "crucial" to the group's work. "We wouldn't be able to do what we do without it," she said.
Ella and Charlie will be joining this year's Children in Need Choir - performing two songs as part of Friday's annual appeal event.
They have taken part in an online rehearsal already, something which their mother said was "lovely to watch".
'Not as shy'
Looking to the future, Ella said the continued support from CruseKids was a big help.
"It really helps because it lets us interact with other people who've gone through the same stuff," she said.
Charlie added: "It's made me feel better. I'm not as shy anymore to talk to people."
Their mother, Phillipa, said the support had made a huge difference to the family.
"They are so confident now and they're happy little people again.
"They've helped them understand that when people pass away, there are still happy memories to hold on to."
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