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Children going through bereavement are being helped by a Scunthorpe charity called Jen’s Special Place, which has just been supported by a £500 donation from Freemasons of the town’s St Lawrence Lodge.
The money will be used for a variety of activities organised by the charity, creation of which was prompted by the death at just 25 years old of mum-of-three Jennie Akers. She died in 2009 after a short battle with cancer, leaving children Taya, six months, George, two, and Ella, five.
Her sister Jemma explains: “After the death of my sister Jen things were tough for all of us; while we tried to deal with our own loss we were left to manage the kids’ heartbreak and the reality that we couldn’t do anything to bring their mum back. As adults we were offered lots of support, but little advice or help was found for the kids; what services we did find were either too far away and not accessible, or not the direct support we needed.
“There was nowhere to turn in our moment of need. I knew this wasn’t right, and had to do something to fill this gap; This is where Jen’s Special Place was born.”
The charity ultimately aims to support children and young people in expressing their grief and exploring their feelings in a safe and emphatic environment; enabling them to grow through others’ experiences. Parents and carers also benefit from the service by offering adult peer support and an opportunity to speak with others in similar circumstances.
Jemma and Jen’s mother Pauline set up Jen’s Special Place in 2014, with the support from family and friends, aiming to provide better access to the help, advice and support that children and their families need in such dark days. Since then Jen’s Special Place has supported more than 300 bereaved children and young people.
Mike Taylor nominated the charity for the £500 donation. He said: “It’s good to be able to help and support smaller charities doing their best to help others, but who so often fall below the charity radar.”
The Province of Lincolnshire Freemasons offers £500 to each of its 76 Lodges every year to donate to the good cause of their choice,
Jemma aded: “We have been blown away by the generosity of people, businesses, and the community. Without this we would not be able to keep running and we cannot thank everyone enough.”
