A KIDDERMINSTER funeral directors has teamed up with a national children’s charity to provide support and advice to young children in the community.

The Midcounties Co-operative Funeralcare have created a series of DVDs and books with bereavement charity CHUMS, to help seven- to 16-year-olds cope with the loss of a loved one.

Jackie Solloway, branch manager at Kidderminster, in Bromsgrove Street, said: "Bereavement isn’t easy for anyone, but it can be particularly tough to deal with when you’re a child. As a parent or carer, it can also be hard to know what to say to children in these situations, or how to behave around them.

"Although teenagers are likely to use social media or the internet to source information that may help with their bereavement, we felt that we needed something physical that we can provide to younger children.

"Through our series of DVDs and books we hope that we can support children in the local community through difficult times and give them an understanding of what has happened."

The exclusive bereavement DVDs are entitled Our Year Since, and are aimed at children from Key Stage Two and above, with four variations to help cope with the loss of parents and grandparents.

The DVD series also offers guardians and caring professionals structured support through an additional guidance booklet, downloadable lesson plan, PowerPoint presentation, note taking template and Q&A section. It is hoped that the series will also equip parents, teachers and carers with effective support tools to care for a child who is dealing with the loss of a mother, father, grandmother or grandfather.

Co-operative Funeralcare also provide books for younger children, narrated by two characters called Amy and Tom who have both lost a parent and share their story.

The DVD series was created in conjunction with Bedfordshire children’s charity CHUMS, which supports children, young people and their parents or careers through bereavement and trauma.

Dawn Hewitt, chief executive officer of CHUMS said: "Schools, community groups and specialised bereavement services such as CHUMS all play an important role in supporting bereaved children and young people. Support and resources such as the DVDs can make a profound difference, not only at the time of a child's loss but also for their long term emotional wellbeing and resilience."

Co-operative Funeralcare in Kidderminster is part of the Midcounties Co-operative, and concern for the community is one of the co-operative principles on which the business is based on.