Delivered by the charity’s Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Team, the new groups reflect Havens Hospices’ commitment to caring for the whole family, as well as the patient.

The new groups include:

– Horizons – a new bereavement group for parents and carers whose child was supported by Little Havens and has died. Horizons offers a safe and compassionate space for bereaved parents and carers to come together, share their experiences and support one another through their grief. The group runs quarterly throughout the year on weekends, with a mixture of sessions held at Little Havens in Thundersley and at a location in Leigh-on-Sea, recognising that some people will feel more comfortable in different settings.

– Griefside – a one-day grief workshop for young people aged 11–16 who are bereaved of someone close to them known to Fair Havens or Little Havens. Held on Saturdays three times a year, Griefside brings young people together to help them to understand what grief is, how it can feel, and what to expect after a loss. The morning focuses on discussions and experiential activities, followed by an afternoon of creative memory-making activities.

These new groups join the charity’s established Headspace group, which has been running for several years and supports primary-school-aged children who have been bereaved of a significant person known to Fair Havens or Little Havens, such as a parent, grandparent or sibling. Headspace is a five-week therapeutic group that empowers children to explore the impact of their loss and begin to process their grief in a supportive setting.

In addition, Havens Hospices is introducing the Self Care Collective — a new self-care and wellbeing group for secondary-aged young people who help or have experienced caring for a family member supported by Havens Hospices. The group offers a chance to meet others in similar situations, build resilience and focus on their own wellbeing. The Self Care Collective will run six times a year during school holidays

Kat Barrett, Children and Young Person’s Counsellor, said, “Grief affects everyone differently, and at different stages. By offering a range of age-appropriate groups, we can ensure everyone has access to support during the hardest moment, and that children, young people and adults are not facing these experiences alone.”

All groups are available to families who are currently supported by Havens Hospices, or who were supported during their loved one’s illness.

Families who would like to find out more or attend any of the groups can contact the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Team by emailing cypwellbeing@havenshospices.org.uk.

 Published on 15th January 2026