Leamington author has published series of books to help children to cope with bereavement

Helping children to cope with bereavement is the theme of a series of books published by a teacher and healthcare worker who lives in Leamington.
Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.
Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.

Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.

Each story is based on the many stages of bereavement in children.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Brendah said: "In my career, I taught carers and social workers how to recognise the feelings being expressed by the children so they were equipped to offer practical activities to support the children, initially intended to be offered to children as group support for 8 weeks as an after-school programme.

Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.
Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.

"The stories are aimed at children aged five to 14 years old.

"The stories arise from my practical experience of working with children who were traumatised by loss of family members or friends.

"They learnt to cope with the trauma in individual ways, but their circumstances were all different. For some it was sudden loss and others saw loved ones suffer through illness.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When I first introduced these techniques, it was for children in schools where we could form an after school support program that the children could attend on a weekly basis to work through their feelings and share their experiences; essentially we wanted to create a safe space which every child should have.

Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.
Brendah Gaine has created ten stories for The Circle of Life Series – a Journey.

"They all developed skills to cope with loss and learnt to grieve in an appropriate way.

"Each story focuses on the feelings addressed and the appropriate coping skills/strategies.

"There are questions for discussion that an adult can engage with the child about the issues addressed in the story. At the end of each book, there is advice about how to process the feelings brought up in the story for the reader.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The books can be used by adults who are parents, therapists, nurses, health visitors, social workers or teachers.

"Children can read these stories with an adult or they can read them on their own but whichever way is chosen, they need discussion with an adult to really get the benefit of the coping mechanisms."

Brendah has worked in many countries.

She helped to set up a charity in South Africa to support children and teenagers to cope with loss.

This organisation still exists in South Africa.

She has also worked as a psychotherapist with mental health charities in the UK.

The titles can be found on Amazon by searching for Brendah's name, Barnes and Noble’s website and AuthorhouseUK.com