Youthlife was established in Derry/Londonderry in 1992 by a group of parents concerned about the emotional effect of bereavement and loss on their own children. Thanks to Pixel's £5000 contribution to our core costs Youthlife can continue to provide counselling and therapeutic support for 200+ children and young people per year aged 5-25 years who have experienced the loss of a significant person in their life through bereavement, separation, loss or family breakdown.
Counselling takes place once a week, in the same place, at the same time, with the same counsellor for 8-10 consecutive weeks; this provides stability and a constant during this challenging time. Counselling sessions last 40-50 minutes and may include the talking, play, craft and art therapies to meet individual need.
Staff also take part in networks, practitioner groups and communities of interest focused on young people’s wellbeing, counselling, family support and community development. We do this in order to raise awareness of the impact of bereavement and loss on young people’s emotional, social, educational and personal development, and to share with and learn from our colleagues.
Youthlife participants benefit from improved physical and emotional wellbeing and relationships. No child should face loss alone.