16th December 2022
Local childhood bereavement charity, Families in Grief, is sad to bid a fond farewell to their Director, Emma Marston, after ten years of service.
In this time, the charity has grown from strength to strength with FiG now supporting around 160 bereaved children and young people a year to feel better and less alone in their grief. The charity also works increasingly closely with school staff and professionals. This includes recently training Bereavement Champions in 71 different schools across North Devon and the Torridge area to help bereaved children in the classroom.
Emma’s key achievements include setting up the Teens in Group groups in 2013 which still runs today, raising thousands of pounds for the charity and modernising the service over the past three years to ensure families can receive the help they need 24/7.
Emma has also been instrumental in FiG recently receiving a substantial grant for the next three years from the National Lottery.
Tracey Elliott, Chair of Trustees says: “Emma has worked hard to build the foundations of the charity we see today. Thanks to Emma, FiG is truly flourishing. It’s now a dynamic and established service providing excellent help for bereaved charities in the area. Thank you Emma, we will miss you, and wish you all the best with your new adventure!”
“It has been an incredible journey,” says Emma. “As you can imagine, leaving FiG is a huge decision but I am leaving the charity in a strong financial position, which is really exciting! When I was a young person, my best friend died and there was no charity like FiG to help pick up the pieces. Although it was a devastating experience, it propelled me to help others in a similar situation and to provide the support that wasn’t there for me. I am really proud of the positive difference we have made, and continue to make, to bereaved families’ lives. I am sure that FiG will continue to provide exceptional service to the community in its next chapter.”
EDITOR’S NOTES:
About Families in Grief (FiG)
Families in Grief or ‘FiG’ (as they’re known in the local community) helps families feel better and less alone in their grief. FiG supports children, young people and their families after the death of someone close to them. They offer support through group sessions for children, young people and their parents/carers along with supportive phone calls and home and school visits. The service is for those living in North Devon and the Torridge area and is free for families.
Visit www.familiesingrief.org
Press enquiries/interviews:
- Please call FiG office 01237 479027 or email the Chair of Trustees, Tracey Elliott at [email protected].