What we do.
Rainbows Bereavement Support GB offers high quality training in bereavement and loss, and supports communities in reviewing or developing their own bereavement policy and procedures.
Through locally based Registered Directors, the charity offers training in the use of Rainbows age related peer support programmes which help foster emotional healing among children, young people and adults.
On-going support is provided to affirm and advise the trained facilitators and co-ordinators that run the programmes.
High quality training for all members of staff and further training for facilitators and co-ordinators to suit the specific needs of your school are delivered at your site.
Our programmes
Rainbows Bereavement Support GB programmes:
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SunBeams: Foundation Stages and lower Key Stage One
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Rainbows: Year 2 and Key Stage Two
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Spectrum: Key Stage Three, Four and Five
Rainbows Bereavement Support GB also offers:
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“When Somebody Dies” A Practical Resource to support schools review their Policy and Procedures.
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Silver Linings – For Community Crisis Response for ages 5 – 18
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SunRise – For Children and Adults with additional learning needs
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Health and Wellbeing Programme
For further information please Contact Us
Schools & Professionals.
How to provide training in Bereavement and Loss and the Rainbows Programmes
Step 1: Contact Us.
Thank you! You have taken the first step already!
Regional Contacts are available here:
Step 2: Arrange a Visit.
A local Rainbows Trainer will contact you to provide further information and will visit you to discuss your training needs in bereavement and loss. They will be delighted to support you in reviewing or developing your own bereavement policy and procedures and encouraging you in introducing the Rainbows programmes to grieving children and young people.
Step 3: Information / Awareness Training Session for Appropriate Staff.
Following your discussion and based on your school’s needs, the local Rainbows Trainer will explain the Rainbows Programmes and the training process, present the Rainbows resources and answer any questions you may have.
Step 4: Arrange Training.
Dates can be set for staff training and resources can be ordered.
Possible Funding support may be available from these organisations (click button for link):
Step 5: Rainbows Training.
Facilitator training, can be delivered in one day at your site or the equivalent hours in two or three sessions (morning, afternoon or evening), depending on your requirements.
Step 6: Rainbows Co-ordinator Training.
Rainbows Co-ordinators will receive additional training to assist in implementing the programme.
The local Rainbows Trainer will be available to offer on-going support, advice and affirm staff with the implementation of the Rainbows Programme and issues related to bereavement and loss.
Step 7: On-going Support.
The local Rainbows Trainer will be available to offer on-going support, advice and affirm staff with the implementation of the Rainbows Programme and issues related to bereavement and loss.
The Rainbows Programmes
Rainbows Bereavement Support GB currently offers four programmes:
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Sunbeams: Foundation Stages and lower Key Stage One
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Rainbows: Year 2 and Key Stage Two
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Spectrum: Key Stage Three, Four and Five
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SunRise: For Children and Adults with additional learning needs
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality will be kept at all times unless a child or young person is at risk. Rainbows groups strictly adhere to the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
The Impact of Rainbows Programmes
Emotional Development
75% of young people agreed that the Rainbows programme helped them to feel calmer in themselves.
“Rainbows helped with my anger and not to bottle up things and that it is okay to talk about things.” (Charlotte, Year 9)
Self-esteem
79% of young people agreed that they felt more confident and less worried about their problems.
“Rainbows helped me get my confidence back.” (Chelsea, Year 10)
Relationships
71% of young people felt that they got on better with their family as a result of Rainbows.
“Rainbows helped me let out my feelings instead of bottling them up and taking it out on my mum.” (Josh, Year 6)
100% of young people agreed that they trust the adults who run the groups.
“It’s a time I can say everything to someone I trust.” (Mollie. Year 9)
Inclusion
95% of children agreed that the Rainbows group gave them a safe place to talk about their feelings.
“I had issues in and out of school. Knowing people were there within school helped me to deal with my problems properly in my head.” (Rachel, Year 11)
“I love being at Sunbeams.” (Alfie, Foundation 2)
77% of young people agreed that participation at Rainbows helped them to enjoy being at school.
“I have made friends now because of Rainbows.” (Shane, Year 6)
(Research findings from ‘An evaluation of the direct impact of the Rainbows Programmes in supporting children and young people within South Yorkshire’ 2011)
Parents & Carers
Rainbows Bereavement Support
Our programmes provide an emotionally safe environment for children and young people to guide them through grieving a significant and often devastating loss, resulting from the impact of a death, relationship breakdown or other serious change in their lives.
Rainbows Programmes provide a safe setting for children and young people to talk through their feelings with others who are experiencing similar situations. They are helped to articulate their feelings by a trained adult facilitator whom they know and trust. Confidentiality, which is at the heart of all Rainbows Programmes, is kept at all times unless a child or young person is at risk, in which case the school’s safeguarding procedures are followed.
Rainbows Programmes provide age relevant materials which form a structured 12 – 14 week programme to assist children and young people through their grief and loss. Rainbows supports self-esteem, trust, confidence and resilience, whilst promoting positive emotional/mental development and healthy relationships.
Parents and carers views:
“The Rainbows Programme made a huge difference to our family life. We found that our son was able to cope with his grief and loss.” (Parent)
“Going to Rainbows meant that they would realise there were other children in a similar situation, and they weren’t the only ones.” (Carer)
“I am grateful to the school and Rainbows programme for giving my child the opportunity to examine and grieve for her loss in a neutral and supportive environment.” (Parent)
“Rainbows has made my child grow in confidence, he has come out of his ‘shell’, rather than getting angry he now sits and talks his feelings through. The support he received was second to none. We could not have survived without Rainbows. Long may it continue.” (Parent)