Support for parents of deceased children
COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS, the New Ross based charity that support families in which a child has died, will now be offering support on a one to one basis every Tuesday evening from 7 p.m.
This service will start from Tuesday, September 7 and people are welcome to come and have a chat and a cup of tea or coffee with one of their members.
This is not a counselling service but a place to come and be heard without prejudice or judgement.
This service is in addition to their monthly support meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of every month at An Teach Beag, Hoodsgrove. This lovely setting is peaceful and healing and it also has a memory garden and people are invited to sow a plant of choice in memory of their loved one.
Compassionate Friends was set up in 2008 by Mary and Nick Ryan whose daughter Nicola died in 2002.
' The death of a child is every parent's nightmare and the journey through grief is very difficult. It can feel at times as if you are very on your own. Parents and family members may feel alone and isolated. Compassionate Friends was set up to show families that they are not on their own and that there are others who feel as they do,' explained Mary Ryan.
' The journey of grief is very personal and no one person does it the same, there is no right or wrong way to grieve and it can be so lonely... Also when we say child we mean a person of any age such as a baby, teenager or a person of 50 years. All are welcome and it does not matter how your child has died. The loss is the same, a child has died,' she added.
Compassionate Friends offer people a place to come together, talk and to cry, and to know that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
The charity is local and all monies are raised through fundraising, with €2,450 raised recently by taking part in the mini marathon.
The charity will also provide assistance whether financial or otherwise to families in which a child has died and they also hold memorial services at certain times of the year.
'Sometimes grief becomes complicated and people may need help from a trained counsellor and may not have the money to access this service. Compassionate Friends will offer the necessary financial support where necessary,' said Mary.
A number of upcoming events are planned for Compassionate Friends, with a flag day scheduled to take place in Waterford in October and a fancy dress party is to be held at Halloween.
For further details contact 086 3822624, email compassionatefriendsireland@gmail.com or log onto wwwcompassionatefriendsireland.ie
- ELAINE FURLONG
