Next week (16th–22nd November 2026) is Children's Grief Awareness Week, an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of bereaved children and young people and the importance of making sure they receive the understanding, care and support they need.
This year's theme is #KeepingConnected – something that means a great deal to us at Scotty's.
Scotty’s has been supporting bereaved children and young people for over 16 years. We know that bereavement can leave them feeling isolated, disconnected and unsure of where they belong. But we also know how powerful connection can be - finding people who understand what you're going through, maintaining a relationship with someone who has died, and feeling part of a community where you are accepted and supported.
For children and young people affected by military bereavement, these connections can be particularly important. Military-connected bereavement can bring additional challenges that extend far beyond the immediate loss of a loved one.
(In our recent article, “Understanding Military Bereavement”, we explore the unique challenges of military bereavement and the impact of military grief on Armed Forces families.)
At Scotty's, we believe that nobody should have to navigate bereavement alone. Through our community, events, bereavement support, grants, educational resources and much more, we're helping children, young people and families to find connection, build relationships and feel that they belong.
The unique challenges of military bereavement
Losing a parent or someone important to you is devastating, whatever the circumstances. However, military bereavement can bring additional challenges that aren't always immediately recognised or understood.
For many Armed Forces families, military life means being part of a close-knit community. Children grow up surrounded by other military families, attend schools with other Service children and build friendships with people who share similar experiences and understand the unique nature of military life.
When a serving parent dies, families can experience significant upheaval alongside their grief. They may need to leave Service Family Accommodation, move away from a military base or change schools. The familiar people, places and routines that once provided a sense of stability and comfort can suddenly disappear.
For a child, this can mean losing more than just a parent. They might also lose friendships, their school community, connections with other military families and a sense of belonging to the Armed Forces community that has become a core part of their identity.
These changes can make an already difficult bereavement journey even more isolating. Children may find themselves navigating grief in an environment where the people around them don't fully understand their experiences, while parents and carers are simultaneously trying to rebuild their own lives and support their children.
This is why maintaining and rebuilding connections is so important.
Why #KeepingConnected matters when a child is bereaved
Connection can take many different forms, and there is no single way for a child or young person to feel supported following a bereavement.
Connecting with the person who has died
For bereaved children, maintaining a meaningful connection with someone who has died can be an important part of navigating life after loss. This doesn't mean holding on to the past or being unable to move forward. It means finding ways to remember that person, celebrate their life and recognise their continued place in the family.
Talking about the person who has died, sharing memories, looking through photographs, creating special traditions or marking important anniversaries can all help children feel that their loved one remains part of their lives.
This can be particularly important for younger children who may have few or no memories of the person themselves. Helping them build a picture of who that person was, through stories, photographs and conversations, can support their understanding of their own identity and family history.
Connecting with people who understand
Children and young people can sometimes feel different from their peers following a bereavement, particularly if they struggle to find others who have experienced something similar.
Having opportunities to meet other bereaved children and young people can help them realise that they aren't alone. They can share experiences, form friendships and talk openly about their feelings without worrying that others won't understand.
For children affected by military bereavement, connecting with other young people from Armed Forces families can be particularly valuable. Shared experiences can create an immediate sense of understanding and belonging, without the need to explain the unique circumstances surrounding their loss.
Connecting with the people around them
Parents, carers, teachers, friends and other trusted adults all play an important role in supporting bereaved children.
Sometimes, people want to help but aren't sure what to say or how to approach difficult conversations. Developing a better understanding of childhood bereavement can help those around a child feel more confident in offering support, creating an environment where the child feels safe to express themselves and knows their feelings will be understood.
How Scotty's helps bereaved children and young people stay connected
At Scotty's, connection has always been at the heart of what we do. We understand the importance of bringing together people who share similar experiences and creating opportunities for children, young people and families to build relationships that can last a lifetime.
Through our programmes and community activities, we provide a range of ways for those affected by military-connected bereavement to access support and feel part of something bigger.
Our community and events
Our SMILES Programme creates opportunities for bereaved military families to connect with others who understand their experiences.
From large-scale festivals and family events to smaller regional meet-ups and online activities, our events programme brings people together to have fun, make memories and build friendships.
For children and young people, these experiences can be particularly special. They have opportunities to meet others who have also experienced military bereavement, form meaningful friendships and enjoy being part of a community where they don't have to explain themselves.
For parents and carers, meeting other families can provide reassurance, shared understanding and the opportunity to build their own support networks.
And importantly, these events create space for families to experience joy together, without feeling guilty about having fun while also living with grief.
The impact of these connections speaks for itself: 96% of families report feeling more connected and having a greater sense of belonging following a SMILES event.
Our SMILES Programme also includes peer support opportunities, care packages and respite breaks, helping families maintain connections and feel remembered and supported at the times that matter most.
Bereavement support
Every bereavement journey is different, and children and young people need to know that there are people they can turn to when they need help.
Through our SUPPORT Programme, we provide access to bereavement support for our community, recognising that children and young people may need different types of support at different stages of their lives.
We also recognise the importance of supporting the adults around them. Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children navigate grief, and ensuring they have access to appropriate guidance and support can make a real difference to the whole family.
Helping a bereaved child’s support network to better understand their grief
One of the most important ways we can help bereaved children feel connected is by helping the people around them better understand their experiences.
When parents, carers and other trusted adults have a deeper understanding of childhood bereavement, they can feel more confident talking about death, responding to difficult emotions and recognising what a child might need.
Through Scotty's Learning, we've developed six free online learning modules specifically designed to empower parents and carers supporting bereaved children and young people.
(See also: “What is Scotty’s Learning? Free online learning to support the bereaved military community”)
The modules cover a range of topics, including children's understanding of death, remembering a parent, supporting under-fives, self-care for parents, key theories of grief, and suicide and traumatic bereavement.
They offer practical advice, expert-informed guidance and opportunities to reflect on learning, helping adults develop the knowledge and confidence to support children in a compassionate and age-appropriate way.
One module, Remembering a Parent, also explores the importance of helping children maintain a meaningful connection with someone who has died, through stories, rituals, memories and everyday conversations.
All six modules have achieved nasen Assured status, recognising their quality, accessibility and inclusivity.
You can explore the free modules at Scotty's Learning.
Keeping connected, not just during Children's Grief Awareness Week
Children's Grief Awareness Week is a valuable opportunity to remind ourselves that bereaved children and young people need understanding, compassion and connection throughout the year, not just during this dedicated week of awareness.
We can't take away the pain of losing someone important, and we can't always prevent the changes and challenges that follow bereavement. But we can help children feel less alone as they navigate them.
We can create opportunities for them to build friendships with people who understand, help them maintain a connection with the person they've lost, and make sure the adults around them have the knowledge and confidence to offer meaningful support.
At Scotty's, we're proud to provide a community where people affected by military-connected bereavement can find understanding, build relationships and feel that they belong.
Because connection doesn't take away the pain of bereavement, but knowing there are people around you who understand and care can make a real difference.
This Children's Grief Awareness Week, let's remember the importance of #KeepingConnected and make sure no bereaved child or young person feels they have to face their grief alone.
If you or someone you know has been affected by military-connected bereavement, you can join the Scotty's community and find out more about the support, resources and opportunities available via our website.
Alternatively, you can reach out to the team on 0800 092 8571, WhatsApp 07392 868 291 or email welcome@scottys.org.uk.
