OUR NEWS
World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2024
In light of World Mental Health Day this week, some of our team have visited Royal Leamington Spa College and Rugby College (both part of WCG) to raise awareness around the important service Guy’s Gift offer.
Did you know that at least one child in every classroom has experienced the death of a parent or sibling in the UK?
Here at Guy’s Gift, we have supported over 4,500 bereaved children, young people and their families across Coventry and Warwickshire. We understand the importance of being there when families need us most.
In light of World Mental Health Day this week, some of our team have visited Royal Leamington Spa College and Rugby College (both part of WCG) to raise awareness around the important service Guy’s Gift offer. It was great to hear how many meaningful conversations were had with students and staff members to help break the stigma around grief and mental health.
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is “Mental Health at Work”. This is an incredibly important theme which we emphasise at Guy’s Gift. At the end of last month, our Team Leads (Sophie and Rebecca) ran a Professional Drop-in session with the theme of “Self-care for Professionals”. The session focused on ways to look after yourself when working with bereaved children and young people, helping to nurture the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of other professionals in this field of work. It was great to see so many attend and this is something we will look to run again in the future. Keep an eye out on our website for future topics and themes!
Join us in making every day a priority for your mental health.
Wolf Run - Autumn 2024
We wanted to say a huge “thank you” to our fantastic team of volunteers who took part in the Autumn Wolf Run to raise money for Guy's Gift.
We wanted to say a huge “thank you” to our fantastic team of volunteers who took part in the Autumn 2024 Wolf Run at Offchurch Bury to raise a total of £250 for Guy’s Gift.
As a small, local charity, your support is invaluable to the bereaved children, young people and their families we work with.
We have really enjoyed seeing all the muddy photos - it looked like you all had a great time whilst doing something very worthwhile!
Perhaps you could be our next Wolf Runner?! Have a read below to hear about the Wolf Run experience from a couple of our volunteers who took part:
““The Wolf Run is a fantastic event to get stuck in (literally!) to – it’s hilarious fun slipping and sliding along the muddy course, and the camaraderie is excellent. It was my first experience of that kind of event and a brilliant starting point for me to take part in longer courses in the future. The best part is the atmosphere – everyone is there to have a good time and get through it together. We always looked out for one another and made sure nobody was struggling. Guy’s Gift is an incredibly valuable resource for children and young people, and I’m so happy we were able to contribute something to their amazing cause.” ”
““I would have to say I did it to challenge myself and Guy’s Gift was a charity that gave my son support while he was battling cancer, so it means a lot to help out in any way I can.””
Gambling With Lives Event - July 2024
On Saturday 13th July, the Guy’s Gift team ran a creative bereavement workshop at The Welcombe Hotel, Stratford at a Gambling with Lives residential weekend. The event welcomed families across the UK who have been bereaved of a loved one, following a gambling addiction.
On Saturday 13th July, the Guy’s Gift team ran a creative bereavement workshop at The Welcombe Hotel, Stratford at a Gambling with Lives residential weekend. The event welcomed families across the UK who have been bereaved of a loved one, following a gambling addiction.
The ‘One More Minute Stars’ pictured below were created by the team to help inspire the children to use their imagination to explore what they would say (or do) if they had one more minute with the person who has died. Thank you to our wonderful team for sharing their stars and the stories behind them.
It has been a privilege to collaborate with Gambling with Lives, who predominantly work with adults, to show the children and young people that their grief is important too. We hope to work with them again in the future.
“My star is in memory of my son Guy, who was fascinated by flamingos during a trip to the zoo. Guy invented his very own bird, which was bit like a flamingo, with all the colours of the rainbow. ”
“My star is in memory of my beloved spaniel. I recreated the poppy fields where I used to walk him.”
“My star is in memory of my Nanna. A bus journey to visit, flowers she grew around the door, feeding the ducks together, making jam together, and the pattern of her jumper. I’d like to say thank you for the times we shared.
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“The session on Saturday was absolutely fantastic and we had some very happy children rejoin the group after spending time with Guy’s Gift. The team were incredibly flexible with our needs as well as the needs of the children. Overall, the weekend was a real success. We would absolutely love to run another session for the children with yourselves.
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Volunteer's Week 2024
Volunteers’ Week (3rd to the 9th June) is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering - and in particular, we’d like to thank our wonderful team of volunteers here at Guy’s Gift.
Volunteers’ Week (3rd to the 9th June) is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering - and in particular, we’d like to thank our wonderful team of volunteers here at Guy’s Gift.
Every day this week we are going to share one of our volunteer’s stories, over on our social media platforms.
As today is the first day of Volunteers Week 2024, we would like to offer a few words of thanks from the Guy’s Gift team:
“Thank you for all your new ideas for our bereavement support groups. The little animal figures have been a real success at the current groups, along with many other activities. Guy’s Gift are loving your creativity & imagination.”
“Thank you to all of the wonderful Guy’s Gift volunteers. Without you we wouldn’t be able to support as many bereaved children and families as we do. You all have fantastic skills, ideas and are dedicated to the charity. This week is all about celebrating you! ”
“Having established Guy’s Gift in 2008, it’s a pleasure to see a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer team who have helped Guy’s Gift grow over the years, and have added a huge amount of value to the families who come to us for support. Thank you!”
“I have only been working with Guy’s Gift for a short period of time, but I can clearly see the value and importance of what you do, how your willingness to give your time and energy plays such an important role in helping Guy’s Gift fulfil its mission in supporting bereaved children, young people and their families across Coventry and Warwickshire. Thank you for your dedication and all that you do for this wonderful charity! 😊 ”
“I’d like to say thanks to the volunteers for supporting across a range of activity at Guy’s Gift. Those working in the background to help with fundraising, marketing, comms, etc. are our hidden gems. Along with those who support activities directly with children and young people. Guy’s Gift is a richer community with our volunteer support.”
“The volunteers are amazing - with their energy and commitment and are so appreciated, especially in terms of supporting work at groups without which it would be almost impossible to run effectively. A huge thank you to them.”
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024: Moving more for our mental health
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the team have been out and about sharing information about Guy’s Gift across several Warwickshire College sites.
Did you manage to catch up with one of the team and find out more about bereavement support?
The theme of the week, this year, is ‘Movement: moving more for your mental health’. It’s shown that moving more is good for your mental health, so we have been asking the team and some of the children and young people we work with what they find helpful.
We’ve heard from some children and young people that sport helps them to manage some of their feelings and emotions, particularly being active outdoors with friends. Others have told us that looking after their horse and being active when riding helps them feel more comfortable with some of their feelings after someone important has died.
One of our counsellors, Libby Frost, shared that she sometimes provides space to walk and talk during support sessions, and being able to do this has helped some children and young people enormously.
Sophie Peel, Delivery Team Leader (groups and support to support) shared that dance is a great outlet for emotions, and remembers this helping her when she was younger. On the theme of dancing, Rebecca Hepburn talked about learning TikTok dances which are great for being active (and my goodness are some of them active!) and also often end up being lots of fun too.
The Mental Health Foundation share their tips for moving more for your mental health: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week/boost-your-mental-health-moving-more
Here at Guy’s Gift we’d love to hear from you too, about where you find your moments for movement, and how it works for you.
Whatever you do, we know the positive difference it can have. It sometimes feels hard to start with, but once you get going often it’s a lot of fun - and that simple act of movement is helping you too.
Did you know that volunteering with a charity can reduce your risk of developing age related diseases, keep your brain active, help to reduce blood pressure and even improve your mental health?
If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Guy's Gift, please email volunteering@guysgift.co.uk.
Fundraising Superstars!
This weekend, a team of fabulous fundraisers hit the streets in Coventry, running the half marathon and raising donations for Guy’s Gift.
This weekend, a team of fabulous fundraisers hit the streets in Coventry, running the half marathon and raising donations for Guy’s Gift.
A huge THANK YOU and congratulations to the team involved, at the time of writing they have raised almost £1000.
This is an incredible total, and we’re so appreciative of the team out there running and raising donations and awareness of Guy’s Gift. This support means many more families will be able to access support when faced with a bereavement.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/lauras-half-marathon-2024
Volunteer Ann Jones collects volunteering award
We were delighted that one of our wonderful volunteers (and trustee) Ann Jones was presented with a Community Spirit Award for volunteering in the Warwickshire area.
We were delighted that one of our wonderful volunteers (and trustee) Ann Jones was presented with a Community Spirit Award for volunteering in the Warwickshire area.
We are immensely proud of Ann and the commitment she knows not just to Guy’s Gift, but to the whole community. Ann is passionate about bereavement support, and we know what a huge impact she makes with families attending our bereavement group sessions.
Thank you for all you do with Guy’s Gift, Ann. A true superstar!
Volunteer Induction - April 2024
SIX is a lovely number. We have ‘SIX’ the Musical, the Six Nations Rugby and hexagons are perceived as one of the strongest shapes due to equally distributing weight across the 6 sides. Our six might just top them all!
SIX is a lovely number. We have ‘SIX’ the Musical, the Six Nations Rugby and hexagons are perceived as one of the strongest shapes due to equally distributing weight across the 6 sides.
Our six might just top them all! Last Saturday, Jacki, Lisbeth and Jackie welcomed six new volunteers to the Guy’s Gift team.
This means we are able to offer support to more children and young people who have experienced the death of someone important to them.
The Induction Training Day took place at The GAP in Warwick. Jackie (Founder and Trustee) provided all of her first-hand experience, stories and skills. Lisbeth (Operations Manager) delivered a wonderful session based around Guy’s Gift and why we do what we do. We also invited Jo-Ann from WCAVA to join us and supply us all with up-to-date Safeguarding training.
By the end of the session, all of the new volunteers left with a goodie bag, a certificate and a desire to begin their volunteering journey.
Six really is a lovely number. Would you like to be one of our next group of six?
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email our Volunteer Co-ordinator (Jacki) at volunteering@guysgift.co.uk
Tesco Fundraising Thanks!
Last week, Rebecca popped in to meet the team at Tesco in Atherstone, and to be presented with a cheque for Guy's Gift for £1000.
We've been part of the blue token scheme locally, and to be able to thank Tesco and all of you who put your blue tokens in the pot for us is really special. An extra thankyou to Tesco for donating some salt too, for children and young people to use when making memory jars!
We're currently in voting at stores in the Leamington and Warwick areas (Lillington Express, Leamington Parade, Warwick Superstore and Warwick Express. Aswell as in voting in the Southam store too. So if you're out shopping in those areas, please don't forget to grab your blue token and vote for Guy's Gift!
After all - Every Little Helps!
Hospital Support Packs delivered
On 14th March, we were delighted to see our Bereavement Support Packs delivered to Jackie Hobson and Debbie Sherwell at Warwick Hospital.
A huge thank you to Leamington Spa Rotary for their fundraising last year, and to Anna Lapworth, Mel Ayers and the team at EA Games in Southam for volunteering their time to put the packs together and deliver them to McGregor ward.
Sophie Peel (Delivery Team Leader - Groups and Support to Support) went along too, representing Guy’s Gift. Sophie will be supporting the team at the hospital further, with guidance on using the resources to help bereaved children and families.
Sophie shared that it was clear how passionate the team at the hospital are about the support Guy’s Gift are able to provide, and grateful they are to have resources to hand for when they are needed.
Remember, support with Guy’s Gift can be accessed by any child who has experienced the death of someone important to them. To make a referral, you can call us on 0845 467 3035 or complete the contact form here and one of the team will call you back.
We rely on donations to be able to provide support for bereaved children and young people across Coventry and Warwickshire.
If you would like to support Guy’s Gift either through a donation, volunteering with us or by creating a fundraiser please get in touch. You can find out more about supporting us here.