For families who have experienced the tragic death of a child of any age, finding the right help can
be overwhelming. Whether they are newly bereaved or they lost their child many years ago, getting
the right support can make a big difference to how easy it is to manage the grief each day. This is why Bereavement and Loss Matters was founded, to help give support to those who need it.
Bereavement and Loss Matters Peterborough and Stamford
Just over 3000 children died in England under the age of 15 in 2020, and Peterborough has child and
infant mortality rates significantly higher than the national average (*CDOP report 19/20)
BALM (Bereavement and Loss Matters) Peterborough and Stamford, was set up by Helen and Pete
Blythe following the death of their son, Benedict Blythe who died in December 2021 aged 5.
When they left hospital following his death, they left carrying a pile of his clothes and a piece of paper
ripped from the corner of a notepad with the details for a police officer. That was, and remains, the
full extend of signposting and support they’ve received to help them. Their experience isn’t
uncommon. Other local families describe similar stories of having little or no support following the
death of their child and having to try and seek out their own help at a time when they don’t have the
strength to.
BALM is an organisation set up to support families following the death of a child. Working with
parents, grandparents, siblings, step-parents and carers, BALM takes the heavy lifting out of finding
and navigating the different charities and organisations out there – linking in with national and local
charities so families can be more easily aware of what is available to them where they live. As well as
comprehensive signposting, the website also offers resources, articles and videos for people to
explore all in one place.
Often bereavement support can take time to get set up, so families will have to wait six months or
more to get regular space to talk about their experiences. In partnership with Samaritans
Peterborough and District, BALM will offer people the opportunity to schedule time to talk about
what they’re going through with a trained specialist volunteer.
BALM is looking for passionate volunteers to support with setting up and running support groups
from the Autumn, giving families the opportunity to spend time with others who are going through
the same devastating loss and enabling them to build a community of people with shared
experiences. There will also be events running in time for Christmas for families to help remember
their child in positive and creative ways.
If you would like to find out what support is available, if you would like to volunteer or donate then
go to www.balm.support
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