Oakleaf Children & Young People Services
HOW CAN WE HELP CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE (up to 25 years)?
Oakleaf is a dedicated bereavement service for children and young people up to the age of 25, supporting those affected by bereavement, loss and separation.
We understand that when a family experiences a loss, it can be challenging for both the young person and those around them. Oakleaf offers a safe, supportive space where children and young people can begin to understand their feelings and explore their grief in their own way.
We can also support families alongside the young person, recognising that grief can affect the whole family system.
ABOUT THE SUPPORT
Grief can feel confusing and overwhelming for children and young people, and it is often difficult to find the words to express what they are experiencing.
At Oakleaf, we offer counselling and therapeutic support to help young people make sense of their emotions, understand how loss may be affecting them, and develop ways of coping.
Our approach is tailored to each individual and may include creative and expressive ways of working, alongside talking-based support.
COUNSELLING
Our experienced and fully qualified counsellors use a range of approaches to support each young person in a way that feels right for them.
Where appropriate, parents and carers may be involved in the process to help strengthen communication and support within the family.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We understand that reaching out for support for your child or young person can feel like a big step.
Once you get in touch, one of our team will make initial contact to understand your situation and talk through what support may be helpful.
If Oakleaf feels like the right fit, we will arrange sessions with a counsellor who will work at a pace that feels comfortable for your child or young person.
Sessions are tailored to each individual and may include talking, creative or play-based approaches, depending on what feels most appropriate.
Where possible, we may also involve parents or carers to help support the young person and strengthen communication within the family.
If you’re unsure whether this is the right support, we can talk this through with you.
WHERE & WHEN
Session locations are agreed following initial contact. Sessions may take place in the young person’s school, at the Oakleaf Centre, or in another suitable setting.
Appointments can be arranged during or after school hours, depending on availability. During school holidays, sessions are typically offered at our Liverpool therapy rooms.
Sessions usually take place on a weekly basis and last around 50 minutes. The number of sessions will be discussed and agreed based on individual need.
COST & DONATIONS
Our Oakleaf service is free to access.
We currently do not receive dedicated funding for this service, which means we rely on donations and fundraising to continue supporting children, young people and families.
Donations help us to:
• Sustain this specialist children and young people’s service
• Provide training and supervision for our counsellors
• Support other families who are waiting for help
We may invite a voluntary donation if you feel able to contribute. All donations are entirely optional, and support will never be affected if you are unable to give.
COSTS
We aim to ensure our support is available to all children, young people and families who need it. As a charity, donations play an important role in helping us sustain our service. We may invite you to make a voluntary donation, which will be discussed with you during your initial contact. However, all donations are entirely optional, and nobody will be denied support if they are unable to contribute.
REFERRALS
To speak to someone about Oakleaf or to make a referral, please call us on 0151 236 3932. If you contact us outside of office hours, you can leave a message and we will aim to respond on the next working day. You can access the service by self-referral or through your GP. Once we receive your enquiry, our Counselling Manager will contact you to explore whether this support is the right fit for your child or young person. If our daytime appointments do not fit with your availability, we understand this may not work for everyone. You are welcome to speak to us about other options that may be more suitable, including private counselling. You can also contact the Oakleaf team directly at: oakleaf@liverpoolbereavement.co.uk
