Irish Hospice Foundation calls on the people of Westmeath to support Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week 2025

The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN), a partnership between the Irish Hospice Foundation and Tusla, is proud to launch Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week 2025, marking ten years of advocacy and awareness for children experiencing bereavement across Ireland.

Taking place from 17th to 23rd November, ICBN and the Irish Hospice Foundation are calling on the people of Westmeath to get involved and show their support under the theme “Children Grieve Too.”

This important message reminds us that children experience loss deeply and, with the right understanding and support from family, schools, and communities, they can learn to live with their grief in healthy and hopeful ways.

The campaign recognises that supporting bereaved children begins with the adults in their lives. When families, communities, and professionals have access to accurate, up-to-date information about childhood bereavement, they are better equipped to help children navigate their grief. Throughout the week, ICBN will showcase the healing power of books and stories, which can help children and young people understand and express their grief.

In collaboration with Children's Books Ireland, ICBN will publish a specially curated Reading List designed to help local organisations create bereaved children's "Book Nooks". A new recommended reading section will launch on childhoodbereavement.ie, featuring insights from renowned authors including Julie Stokes and Patrice Karst on why they wrote their books to support bereaved children.

Local events will take place across the country in healthcare settings, schools, family resource centres, and community venues. Three special webinars will be hosted during the week, including an open evening for parents and carers, a schools-focused session in partnership with Rainbows, and an introduction to culturally sensitive approaches to bereavement support facilitated by AkiDwA - Network of Migrant Women living in Ireland.

Sonia Rennicks, Children's Bereavement Manager at Irish Hospice Foundation said:

"Children experience grief in their own unique ways, and it's our responsibility as adults to create safe spaces where they feel heard, understood, and supported. Through Bereaved Children's Awareness Week, we want to encourage curiosity about children's grief and help parents and carers feel empowered to have those important conversations. The healing power of books and stories can be transformative for bereaved children, giving them words for feelings they might not yet understand. We're pleased to share resources that can make a real difference in children's lives."

Paula O'Reilly, CEO of Irish Hospice Foundation said:

"As we mark ten years of Bereaved Children's Awareness Week, we reflect on how far we've come in recognising that children grieve too. Every child who experiences loss deserves support, understanding, and the tools to navigate their grief. This campaign empowers the adults in children's lives with the knowledge and resources they need to provide that vital support. We're calling on communities across Ireland to join us in ensuring no bereaved child feels alone in their loss."

Communities and organisations can get involved by hosting displays in workplaces, sharing campaign materials, organising webinar viewings, creating Book Nooks, or joining the conversation on social media using #BCAW2025 and #ChildrenGrieveToo.