Shotley community primary school is among a number of Suffolk schools have completed St Elizabeth Hospice's Dying to Talk programme, which encourages young people to have open conversations about end-of-life and bereavement.

Part of St Elizabeth Hospice's 565 Service is Dying to Talk, which is a training programme run by St Elizabeth Hospice, which raises standards in conversations about end-of-life and awareness around bereavement and support services available.

The 565 service provides emotional and bereavement support for children, young people and families living with a family member with progressive illness and Shotley primary school head teacher Richard Dedicoat believes the pupils will benefit in a number of ways.

"We are extremely proud to have been awarded the 'Dying to Talk' accreditation and to be working with St Elizabeth Hospice," said Mr Dedicoat. "The support provides emotional support which gives children the opportunity to talk openly, with trained staff, if they wish to, about how they are feeling in a way they feel comfortable.

"This dedicated support helps children to cope with difficult emotions in a sensitive way and provides them with coping strategies they can use."

Mr Dedicoat added that Shotley primary has a family liaison officer who is available for parents, carers and children to contact directly and is able to offer advice, resources, information and emotional support or signpost to the relevant agencies to offer further support.

Since launching in 2019, Chantry Academy, Ormiston Endeavour Academy, Stoke By Nayland Church of England Primary School, St Mary's Primary School Hadleigh and Nacton Church of England School, as well as Shotley school, have all earned accreditation from Dying to Talk.

Rob Ilett, Children's Specialist Counsellor for St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "It is fantastic to see all the schools complete their accreditation and to see many more joining the Dying to Talk programme.

"At any age the conversation subject of death and bereavement is often seen as 'taboo' but it is really important to have these open conversations, particularly at a young age, in order to help each other.

"During the last year, Covid-19 has seen many of our community impacted by death and bereavement of a friend or a loved one. There is no right or wrong way to experience grief or to think about death and dying, but through having honest conversations with a trusted relative, friend, teacher or a counsellor we can make a real difference and make living with loss easier for us all."

Completion of the Dying to Talk training saw the schools undertake a six week training course delivered by the hospice, as well as an assessment of bereavement support available to children in school and completion of an improvement plan, if required.

To ensure the new practices are kept up to date and continue to evolve, each year their support services for pupils will be reviewed by the hospice and a nominated school Bereavement Champion will lead the service provision while attending biannual consultations sessions with children bereavement service counsellors to refresh training and maintain a high level of support for families.

Rachel Zagni of Ormiston Endeavour Academy: "Dying to Talk was inspiring, and working with our really knowledgeable facilitator ensured that any awkward or difficult conversations or questions were dealt with sensitively.

"We worked with a lovely group of professionals from other schools who were caring and supportive and interested in each other's provisions, and have developed an invaluable link the hospice and it's staff.

"We found the hospice to have a peaceful atmosphere from the moment we walked in the door, and having an insight into some of the spaces and artwork that are there was invaluable as it made us think about what we would want in our school for those special places students can access to talk openly about sensitive conversations."

St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent Suffolk charity providing free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life limiting illness throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Centred on an individual's needs, the hospice provides specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

To find out more information about St Elizabeth Hospice and Dying to Talk call 01473 727776 or visit the 565 web page here...

• St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in east Suffolk living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Its work is centred on an individual's needs, which means specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. Through medicine and therapy the hospice eases pain, gives life purpose and make life liveable.