In August 2020 I undertook further studying and I qualified as an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, which  means I'm trained to deliver the eye-opening Grief Recovery Institute's programme; 'Helping Children With Loss.' This is a 4 week educational programme, which has at it's core, the desire to improve the emotional wellbeing of our children and young people. This training is enormously beneficial to anyone who works with or cares for children.

​

Unfortunately the number of people struggling with their mental health in the UK is alarmingly high and as a nation we are at crisis point. Children as young as 5years old are seeking help. Covid 19 and the subsequent Lockdown/s have compounded what was already a dire situation. 

​

​

"To watch a child grieve and not know what to do is a profoundly difficult experience for parents, teachers and caregivers. Yet, there are guidelines for helping children develop a lifelong healthy response to loss.

In 'When Children Grieve' the authors offer a cutting-edge volume to free children from the false idea of "not feeling bad" and to empower them with positive, effective methods of dealing with loss." 

​

​

I really enjoy delivering this programme - To date participants have been from a wonderful mix of backgrounds including: pre-school managers, family support workers, dance teachers, counselling students, primary school teachers,  teaching assistants and hypnotherapists. 

​

​

A testimonial from one of the lovely 'Helping Children With Loss' participants . October 2020. 

.

I have recently completed a four week course with Dawn and I must say what an incredible course. The course taught me to see loss in a different way and to hopefully support those who are grieving any form of loss, with an open heart and a listening ear. We often say how resilient children are and yes they are but this course has shown me that our children are often being resilient because it has been modelled to or been expected of by the adults in their lives. We often put on a brave face for our children and think we can’t show our emotions in front of them through fear of upsetting them.

The course that Dawn offers is a fantastic tool for anyone working with or dealing with young children. It is definitely something I am implementing in my daily practice and has reinforced that it is okay to be sad, it is okay to miss something or someone. It is okay to grieve the loss of something or someone openly and emotionally.

So let’s all remind ourselves and our children that showing emotion isn’t a weakness, missing a loved one isn’t being weak or not coping it is human nature. Dawn thank you so much!

​

​

What can you expect from the sessions?

We begin by looking at our society and how in the main, we've got 'emotional wellbeing' so wrong and how this can inadvertently cause so much damage. We do this by passing down to our children incorrect or unhelpful emotional language and unhelpful learnt behaviour - mainly copied from our parents, grandparents and professional elders. And unless we put the 'brakes on' now this never-ending cycle will continue.

Each session is a combination of listening & sharing - and reflection upon the assigned reading is a necessary requirement too. This programme's content is highly likely to resonate with professional & personal life experiences. 

​

​

Who is this programme for?

This training programme is for anyone who works with or cares for children; parents, grandparents, guardians, carers, teaching staff, nurses, doctors, children & family charity workers, social workers, sport coaches, etc . Everyone would benefit from the life-changing knowledge that is imparted.

​

Current training is to groups of four - ten participants and are delivered online. Each person receives their own handbook 'When Children Grieve - For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving and Other Losses'. This is a certified training programme.

​

​

How much is it?

The price of the 4week training (2 - 2.5hours/week) training is £300 each participant (min of 4).

​

​

How do you book a place?

Please email me: dawn@dawnford.co.uk  or call: 07928110041.

​

Thank You.

​