“Don’t hesitate to reach out because they are amazing at supporting the family in a tough time.”
Felazaha
A Bromley mother of two young girls says the best decision she’s made all year was to agree to her daughters being referred to St Christopher’s Candle Child Bereavement Service.
Felazaha Razafimhaleo has seen a huge difference in Amanda, 10, and Anna, 11, since they completed their six counselling sessions at the hospice following the death of their grandfather Robert and says she’d would encourage more families to access the service, given the opportunity.
“The girls are so much happier now. They’ve given me such positive feedback about the support they got at St Christopher’s and said they are really going to miss the place because it is so friendly.”
Felazaha says Amanda and Anna had a very close relationship with her father, spent lots of holidays with him and their grandmother in their home in Toulouse in southern France.
Consequently, they felt a huge impact when he died in April this year after a long battle with cancer.
“They loved spending time with their grandpa, feeding his pet birds, helping him in the garden and playing with toys with him. They missed him so much and have been scared since they lost him.
“They stopped wanting to do any activities, go on holiday or talk to me about anything, because they knew I was hurting too and didn’t want to add to my pain.”
That’s when the girls’ school suggested a referral to St Christopher’s.
“If I’m honest, I was a bit sceptical at first. But then I thought about it and could see that the girls were behaving differently, they were arguing for no reason and having uncontrolled outbursts of anger, so I made an appointment.
“Immediately when we got to St Christopher’s it felt different. I felt really comfortable and so did the girls. From the people at reception as soon as you step inside the building, there’s a feeling of hope and positivity. It’s a warm place that’s welcoming and supportive which means you don’t feel alone at the most difficult time.
“Every time we went there was a feeling of reconnection with the kids. I can’t thank St Christopher’s enough, because it has made a big difference to my life.”
“As soon as you step inside the building, there’s a feeling of hope and positivity.”
“Since going to St Christopher’s the girls have got much closer to me again. If they have a problem them now come to me straightaway to talk to me about their emotions, school or their homework,” Felazaha says.
“That makes me so happy because I was starting to feel cut off from them. Now they are happier and are hugging me and that really touches me.
“And since they went back to school in September, they’re back doing their clubs and activities after school and Amanda loved the art and crafting she did at St Christopher’s and has continued doing that at home.”
She also has absolutely no hesitation in recommending the service to others.
“I would say don’t hesitate to reach out because they are amazing at supporting the family in a tough time. It’s the best decision I made this year.”
Discover more about our Candle Child and Young Adult Bereavement Service by clicking here.
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