A family from Stamford who lost their five year old son, Benedict, last December have launched a website to help and support other families who have been affected by the loss of a child.
Helen and Pete Blythe said they left hospital not knowing where to turn for help and support, so they wanted to help others who have been affected by the loss of a child to be much better informed. They have helped to create a website, https://www.balm.support (Bereavement and Loss Matters), which will direct people to appropriate organisations across South Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.
During an interview with Rob Persani this morning, Helen said, "When we left hospital after he died, we left with a pile of clothes and also the corner of a notepad where someone had ripped it out of a notebook and written down the telephone number for a police officer. And that was, and remains, the full extent of the signposting and support that we have had following his death. For us, at the time, it was a personal shock but when you think about it for other people who are going through something similar, it shouldn't be like that. Coming from that personal experience we thought there should be something and if it doesn't exist then we need to create it."
About BALM
BALM (Bereavement and Loss Matters) Peterborough and Stamford, is an organisation set up to support families following the death of a child. Working with parents, grandparents, siblings, step-parents and carers, BALM takes the heavy lifting out of finding the right support – linking in with national and local charities so families can be more easily aware of what is available to them where they live. As well as comprehensive signposting, the website also offers resources, articles and videos for people to explore all in one place.
Often bereavement support can take time to get set up, so families will often have to wait six months or more to get regular space to talk about their experiences. In partnership with Samaritans Peterborough and District, BALM will offer people the opportunity to schedule time to talk about what they’re going through with a trained specialist volunteer.
BALM is looking for passionate volunteers to support with setting up and running support groups from the Autumn, giving families the opportunity to spend time with others who are going through the same devastating loss and enabling them to build a community of people with shared experiences. BALM will also be running regular events beginning before Christmas.
BALM is aimed at people living in the Peterborough and Stamford area, but the signposting information and resources are relevant to people from across Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire.
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