Approx 30 minutes to 1 hour

This is where you will meet some of the Star team for the first time and most importantly we get to meet you. This will be at Star's base in Central Wakefield or in a community near to where you live.

We will spend some time getting to know each other and find out more about what has been happening in your life. We will look at what you need support with and how we can best help you.

There is an opportunity to talk on the phone before this meeting if you have any questions or worries. Usually there would be 1 bereavement practitioner (worker) with you in this session, you can be on your own or with a parent, carer or trusted adult.

We know the first meeting is a bit scary and might feel weird but we want you to feel as relaxed as possible. There is no pressure and we are here to listen and support you.

Peer support sessions are relaxed, friendly opportunities to meet other people of a similar age who have been through the experience of someone important to them dying. It's a chance to be in the same space as people your age who understand what you are going through and a chance for you to support each other.

These sessions would usually take place on evenings, weekends and school or college holidays. They could be an hour or a few hours long and might involve relaxing and chatting or taking part in activities. Recently peer support groups have worked with horses, taken part in animal activities, been to a pottery barn and been bowling together followed by pizza.

Usually there will be 2 or more bereavement practitioners (workers) in peer support sessions

Peer support sessions are held all over the Wakefield District.

Group support has more of a 'therapy' feel but is still relaxed and friendly.

In group support you will use lots of different ways to express your grief and to understand healthy grief. This might be talking, art, emotional wellbeing activities, memories, including painful ones if this might help you, learning healthy coping skills, strengths work and support around your future.

Group support sessions will usually be 30 to 60 minutes and there will usually be 1 or 2 bereavement practitioners (workers) in these sessions.

Group support can be with people your own age or in a family group where you work as a family to learn about healthy grief together, share memories and help each other to move forward.

Group support and family support is held in different locations across the Wakefield District.

Individual support has a 'therapy' feel and means that you work with a bereavement practitioner (worker) around your own needs and goals. You will learn about healthy grieving and healthy coping skills, have support to express your grief and emotions, sharing memories including painful ones if this might help you, help with your mental health and emotional wellbeing, looking at your own strengths and help to plan for your future.

Individual support sessions are usually 30 minutes to one hour and there is usually 1 bereavement practitioner (worker) with you.
Individual support takes place at Star's base in Central Wakefield as well as at different locations across the Wakefield District.

If you need to talk to someone before or inbetween sessions we can arrange for you to chat with a worker by text or phone.

You may take part in one or a mixture of support options