A service that helps bereaved children has joined forces with one of the north’s most prominent charities.
Crocus Group has integrated its services with Highland Hospice.
The group, which was formed in the late 1990s, is partly funded by Highland Council and relies on fundraising for the remainder of its income. Initially housed in Raigmore Hospital, it moved to its own premises on the Carse Industrial Estate in 2016, where it will continue to operate.
Through integrating with the Hospice, Crocus says it will benefit from being part of a bigger organisation, allowing its staff to focus on service delivery rather than fundraising, administration and wider governance tasks.
In turn, it is believed Highland Hospice will benefit by having a service that can reach bereaved children as well as adults.
Hannah Lind, Child Bereavement Support Service Manager for Crocus, said, “We have been discussing integration with Highland Hospice since late 2016 and are delighted that this has now become a reality. “
“We offer support to bereaved children in a number of ways including creative memory making, social activities, individual support in the form of one-to-one support sessions and phone or email support to parents, carers and others involved in their care. I am really looking forward to focusing more of my time on these activities as a result of this integration.”
Highland Hospice Head of Finance Julie Douglas added, “The delivery of a child support service fits within our charitable objectives , and we are delighted that we can add value to the work done by Crocus by providing support in areas such as voluntary services, finance, fundraising and administration.”
“The main difference between the service provided by Crocus and the bereavement support currently provided to adults by the Hospice is that the majority of children using Crocus have lost loved ones as a result of a sudden death rather than following a period of palliative care.”
“Our aim is to support and sustain the services Crocus already provides, with a view to growing and enhancing these in the future.”