Child grief resources launched for OxTrail event

Oxford Brookes University and Sobell House Hospice have put together grief and loss resource packs for children.

This joint initiative supports tough conversations around bereavement.

As part of the OxTrail event, kicking off on July 6, 2024, the University has crafted a range of educational and creative materials for classroom discussions around bereavement.

OxTrail is Oxford's premier art sculpture trail, fundraising for Sobell House Hospice.

More than a hundred distinct fibre-glass oxen each decorated by different artists will be spread across Oxford city and parts of Oxfordshire for eight weeks.

With Oxford Brookes University as the official learning programme partner, the trail will spend a significant chunk of this project on children.

Around 85 schools and community groups are participating in the contest by decorating mini oxen.

These small pieces of art will be showcased in mini herds in locations such as libraries, hotels, and community gathering spots.

Michelle Montgomery, associate dean for strategy and development at Oxford Brookes, said: "The mini-herd packs, which include poems, art and activities have been designed to help schools and community groups, including Scouts and Guides, engage with the trail, and inspire children who are now painting their mini-oxen."

More than just a summer activity, the project also provides a collection of resources centred on bereavement for long-term use.

Developed by Hamilton Brookes, an Oxford Brookes University publishing entity, it contains lesson plans and other useful resources aimed at primary school educators.

The Resource Packs, available for free download to all school teachers, are designed to foster emotional literacy and empathy among children aged six to 15.

These comprehensive guidelines are practical and easy to use.

More than 37,580 children have already benefitted from these resources.

Claire Field from Hamilton Brookes said: "We wanted to provide support for teachers who have had a loss within a school community and want to help children build resilience.

"Sometimes teachers and headteachers are nervous about these subjects and obviously have to be very sensitive to their pupils' situations.

"The packs are all based on story books with two book suggestions for each age range."

Beth Marsh, head of fundraising at Sobell House Hospice, said: "The learning pack echoes the creativity of the trail while providing much-needed guidance to teachers who are tackling discussions around bereavement every day."

She also emphasised that the learning pack is a crucial resource that will remain significant long after the trail ends.

The OxTrail learning packs and bereavement resources are ready for free download on the Hamilton Brookes website.