An introduction to Rainbows Bereavement and Loss Support

An introduction to Rainbows Bereavement and Loss Support GB BDES Headteacher Briefings March 2020

What is Rainbows? The Rainbows Bereavement and Loss Support GB programme is an intervention for young people of all ages and abilities which aims to foster emotional resilience following experiences of bereavement and loss. It offers age and developmentally appropriate peer support programmes. There are four programmes with accompanying handbooks, journals and resources; ∙Sunbeams for Early Years and Year One ∙Rainbows for Year 2 and Key Stage Two (3 levels of different journals) ∙Spectrum for Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 (3 levels of different journals) ∙Sunrise for Young people with SEND

What are the aims of Rainbows? ∙To provide a safe space where facilitators can support groups of young people in developing their understanding of loss, as well as building their emotional resilience, emotional regulation, selfesteem, self-efficacy, communication skills and confidence. ∙To emphasise the importance and role of peer support in dealing with grief associated feelings.

Who is involved in Rainbows? ∙The Rainbows programmes are delivered by trained Facilitators of members of school staff (a minimum of 2 staff) ∙One of the Facilitators will be the designated Coordinator who will be the contact for the Registered Director (Diocesan team member) ∙ Primary: 3 -6 participants in a group ∙ Spectrum: 6 -8 participants in a group

How is Rainbows delivered? When? ∙A regular timetabled slot either in the school day or after school ∙ 12 -14 weekly sessions including ‘Celebrate Me’ sessions Where? ∙A designated location in school which is safe and will not be interrupted

Rainbows in the Archdiocese of Birmingham ∙Prayer focused ∙Training is funded by the Diocese ∙BDES starter kits available from the Rainbows Resource Centre (additional journals required) ∙Cost of resources ∙ Silver Linings: Community Crisis Response Bereavement Support Programme

How Rainbows can help… ∙Help the participants engage with their own grief ∙Provide a safe setting to share their feelings with trained listeners ∙Allow a shared experience, identify with other’s feelings ∙Grief and loss is always acknowledged ∙Supports participants to adjust and adapt to their ‘new’ situation ∙Supports the rebuilding of self-esteem, trust, confidence and resilience

What is the impact of Rainbows? ‘A Report from the Rainbows Evaluation, Research and Development Committee’ 2019 ∙Rainbows GB provides a successful intervention which can be described as providing Psychological First Aid (WHO World Health Organisation 2014) Psychological First Aid principles are characterised by creating a space where people can; ∙ “Feel safe, connected to others, calm and hopeful” ∙ “Have access to social, physical and emotional support” ∙ Regain a sense of control by being able to help themselves” ∙Promoting Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing ∙OFSTED 2019 School Inspection handbook guidance introduces a new judgment of Personal Development ∙Schools can add the Rainbows logo to their website once they become a Rainbows accredited Registered Site

“Rainbows gives me time to talk about my feelings. I didn’t know I had so much inside until I started being able to talk about it. Talking lets it out. ” (Y 6) “Rainbows makes me calm” (Y 3) “Rainbows helps me to know I have lots of people who care for me and who want to help me. ” (Y 4) “At Rainbows I have made new friends. I know I am not the only one who has hard things in my life. We help each other with our problems. ” (Y 5) “I used to feel really, really sad. I still feel sad sometimes about my Dad dying, but I know it’s also ok to feel happy. ” (Y 5) Rainbows Testimonials “I never knew there were so many words to help me to say how and what I am feeling!” (Y 4) “I don’t see my Mum much any more. Coming to a new town and a new school was really hard. I miss so much – especially my Mum. At Rainbows I can think and talk about this, but it also gives me ideas to help me feel happier. ” (Y 5)

An email sent by a member of staff to the other staff in the school: Dear All, Just wanted to let you know about a lovely comment that I received yesterday. I had an appointment with Mrs ……………. to discuss ………. . …………’s progress. However, during the conversation she brought up the Rainbows course that ………. . … had done previously. She commented to me that, in her opinion, it had, had a great impact on ………. . really helping him with the issues he is facing around loss and that she would highly recommend anyone who had the chance to do 'Rainbows' to do it. I thought it was great that ………. had been helped by Rainbows so much and thought I should pass on how grateful Mrs …………. . is.

When Somebody Dies training Training: Tuesday 23 rd June 2020 (9: 00 -12: 00) A Practical Resource to support schools review their Policy and Procedures aimed at Headteachers and those responsible as pastoral lead. ∙ Assist school communities review their policy and procedures for ‘When Somebody Dies. ’ ∙ Support schools to respond appropriately when learning of the death of a member of the school community. ∙ Affirm an advise school communities in their important on-going work with those who grieve.

Next steps… A BDES enquiry email will be sent asking if your school: ∙Is a Rainbows Registered Site ∙Has trained facilitators ∙Requires refresher training for previously trained facilitators/coordinators Primary Facilitator training day: Tuesday 19 th May (minimum of 2 staff per school) Secondary Facilitator training day: Friday 22 nd May (minimum of 2 staff per school) Contact us: Primary: r. brolly@bdes. org. uk d. harris@bdes. org. uk Secondary: b. roseman@bdes. org. uk or r. smith@bdes. org. uk Rainbows documentation https: //rainbowsgb. org/