Mosaic, a Dorset charity founded in 2007 to support bereaved children, has launched a major fundraising appeal to continue supporting children struggling with the death of someone close to them. The charity provides qualified counsellors who help children and young people understand and manage their grief and anxiety.
However, the increasing demand for Mosaic’s services has outstripped its ability to provide free access to counsellors.
The charity urgently needs to raise £100,000 this year to maintain its support services amid rising costs and dwindling funds. Jo Revill, Mosaic’s CEO, says, ‘This is the crunch point for us now. We’ve seen a 47 per cent increase in the number of children and young people being referred to us for help this year. We want to continue to exist 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 from primary and secondary schools across Dorset refer children to Mosaic for counselling support and advice. Last year, the charity provided counselling to 412 children and young people – this number is likely to be substantially higher in 2024, with extra help also going into school in peer support.
Nearly half of the referrals involve children or young people who have lost a parent. It costs £350 to provide comprehensive counselling for one child or young person, including family support, over several months.
Karen Parnell, Chair of Trustees, says, ‘I’m incredibly grateful for the 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 provided my daughters with a safe space to express their feelings, share their experiences and connect with others who understood their loss.’
She added: ‘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 the Mosaic appeal, please visit mosaicfamilysupport.org
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