New service for children and young adults of Kilkenny farm families

Embrace FARM, the agricultural charity supporting farm families across Ireland since 2014, is launching a variety of new support services specifically designed to help children and young adults who are processing loss and grief after a sudden death within a farm family.

As an extension of Embrace FARMs current offerings, the new services and resources will provide mental and emotional support for children and young people in farm families.

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The support services have been specifically designed to reach rural farm families who might not have access to support due to limited local resources or geographical isolation within their communities.

Commenting on the importance of the new programme, Co-founder of Embrace FARM Norma Rohan said: “Over the last 12 years, the Embrace FARM team has encountered many farm families that have been impacted by sudden death. Through our work, we recognise the need to develop specific resources tailored to support children experiencing grief.

“We want them to know that they’re never walking this path alone and that there are a range of supports out there to help them at whatever stage of the grief journey they are at. We look forward to continuing this project by regularly updating the resource hub, adding new support services, and ensuring that no one in the farming community who has experienced a serious injury or sudden death feels alone on their journey.”

The new services for children and young adults are tailored to meet the individuals needs but can include creative arts therapies such as play, art and dance, counselling, and equine-assisted learning.

These supports are offered alongside yearly residential family retreats where farm families, including both parents and children, who have experienced the sudden death of a loved one come together.

In addition to these in-person supports, Embrace FARM has created a new digital resource hub on the Embrace FARM website which features blog posts written by professionals on a range of topics around grief, useful resources for younger children to explore their own emotions, and recommended books, podcasts and other media around grief that can help start the conversation around grief and loss.

Please visit Embrace FARM at the National Ploughing Championships in Block 3, Row 11, Stand 235, or get in touch at www.embracefarm.com or call 085-7709966.