Artwork created by children in counselling sessions or wellbeing support groups at Havens Hospices will be featured in the Leigh Art Trail in The Living Room, Leigh Road, SS9 1JE, on the 6th and 7th July from 10am to 3pm.  

The art exhibition ‘Grief from a Child’s Eyes—let’s Talk about the Elephant in the Room’ will consist of 20 pieces of artwork created by children aged 5 to 18. The pieces of art explore the often-confused feelings and thoughts of young people and children who have experienced loss at Havens Hospices. It also explores the feelings of children, supported by Little Havens, who have been diagnosed with a complex condition and grieve the things their incurable diagnosis has taken away from them.   

The Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Team at Little Havens find many youngsters who have experienced the death of a sibling, parent, grandparent or anyone special to them often feel invisible, trying to process feelings that even adults don’t fully understand. Art and creative therapy are valuable tools to help children express thoughts and feelings that can be too hard to verbalise. Creative techniques like painting, drawing and poetry open up conversations with children and often evoke memories of their loved ones who have died.  

Katherine Barrett, a Children’s and Young Person Counsellor at the charity, says, “The children and young people choosing to share their work are showing such bravery and courage in doing so. I hope that this empowers them to feel proud and to know that their work can make such a huge difference and impact to others too.” 

 Published on 1st July 2024