Study investigates how to support grieving families

Shooting Star is working with the University of Southampton to improve support for grieving families

A man whose two-year-old son died after contracting sepsis says he "dreads to think" where he and his family would be without the support they received.

Nick, from Guildford in Surrey, said Shooting Star Children's Hospices helped him realise he was not alone in his grief following the death of his son Monty in 2023.

He said grieving families were "not alone" and "you don't have to lock yourself away".

Shooting Star is now collaborating with experts from the University of Southampton on a project to investigate and make recommendations to improve support for those who experience the unexpected death of a child.

The group of hospices said it was one of only two in the country to have created a specialist bereavement service for families whose child had died suddenly or unexpectedly.

Nick described the support from the hospice's counselling programme as "phenomenal".

Now the £1.2m-study from Shooting Star, called Quinet, will see researchers run a national survey of bereaved parents.

The team will also interview health professionals and other caregivers as part of the study that involves the universities of Surrey, Central Lancashire and Birmingham.

Anne-Sophie Darlington, co-lead investigator for the study, said: "Surprisingly little is understood about the very complex needs of families when they experience the deep trauma of the sudden death of a child and it is crucial that we gain evidence about their care needs and what helps them cope in the longer term."

The study will make recommendations for change in 2027.