Charity | Posted on July 31st, 2024 | return to news
Dorset bereaved children’s charity hits crunch point
Demand has outstripped finances for Mosaic, which supports children who are struggling to deal with the death of someone close to them.
A charity, which has since 2007 supported bereaved children, is fighting for its survival.
The demand for Mosaic’s services has outstripped its finances and so it has launched a fundraising appeal.
To continue to provide care, advice and support, the charity needs to raise £100,000 this year at a time when costs are rising steeply and other funds have stopped.
Jo Revill, CEO of the charity which has offices in Blandford, said: “This is the crunch point for us now. We’ve had a 47 per cent increase in the number of children and young people being referred to us for help, compared with the same period in 2023.
“We want to continue to exist for Dorset, and for Dorset’s children. The services we offer can transform a child’s life and their life chances, but we cannot be sure of meeting that need if we can’t raise the money.”
Teachers in primary and secondary schools from right across the county refer children into Mosaic for counselling support and advice. Last year, Mosaic provided counselling to 412 children and young people. This year, the figure is likely to be substantially higher, with extra help also going into school in peer support.
The charity helps young people between the ages of five and 18 who have lost a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend. In just under half of the referrals, the charity is helping children or young people where a parent has died.
To meet the new demand, the charity will need to raise an extra £100,000 in 2024 to continue its work. It costs £350 to help a child or young person by providing wrap-around counselling for them at school or home, including support for the family over several months.
Karen Parnell, chairperson of Trustees, said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the comprehensive and compassionate support our family received from Mosaic when my husband died. It had a profound impact on my children during a very difficult time. The specialised counselling and peer support activities provided my daughters with a safe space to express their feelings, share their experiences and connect with others who understood their loss.
“We hope that our communities can really get behind us in this challenging financial period to help us raise funds so that all the children and young people who need our help can receive it. There is so much more for us to do as a charity and we’re lucky to have very dedicated individuals – staff, volunteers, trustees and counsellors – who make all the difference.”
For more information about this Mosaic appeal, please visit www.mosaicfamilysupport.org.
Please share post:
LATEST NEWS:
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Subscribe to the online magazine news letter
