Children affected by the loss of a parent or sibling will benefit from improved support in Glasgow as a result of a £1million funding boost.

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Child Bereavement UK and Richmond’s Hope will each receive a share of the Lottery funding to increase grief counselling services for children, young people and their families.

Child Bereavement UK has 22 years’ experience of supporting families and educating professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. 

The charity, which has trained more than 1700 professionals in Scotland over the past three years, also runs a national helpline taking around 2500 calls from families and professionals each year.

The new office in Maryhill will initially offer direct support to children, young people and their families as well as advice and guidance to schools and other professionals. 

Richard Stafford, Child Bereavement UK’s director of bereavement sector support, Scotland, said: “We are very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for acknowledging the need for improved access to bereavement support in Glasgow. 

“Child Bereavement UK is committed to working in collaboration to deliver first class, specialist support to children, young people and families, helping them to rebuild their lives after the devastation of bereavement. 

“We will continue to share learning and work together to ensure that families’ needs are being met across Glasgow.”

Richmond’s Hope uses therapeutic play and specialist grief tools to help youngsters cope with losing someone close to them.

The faith-based group has launched a new branch in Glasgow, with hope that services can be extended to other areas in future.

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice runs a dedicated bereavement service for children and young adults up to the age of 18. 

The Butterfly Project offers a range of services, including one-to-one counselling and therapy.