Art exhibition explores 'grief from a child's eye'

Jane and Tracy from Little Havens, a children's hospice, holding some of the artwork

Children have been given a platform to express their feelings about grief by having their artwork featured in a free exhibition.

The display - called "Grief from a child's eye - let's talk about the elephant in the room" - features 20 different pieces.

They have been created by children and teenagers aged between five and 18 who have been going to counselling or attending wellbeing support groups at Havens Hospices, in Essex.

Katherine Barrett, a counsellor at Little Havens, a children's hospice, said by choosing to share their work the children were showing "bravery and courage".

'Huge difference'

She added: "I hope that this empowers them to feel proud and to know that their work can make such a huge difference."

A Little Havens spokesperson said its wellbeing team supported young people who have experienced the death of a sibling, parent, grandparent or anyone special to them.

Some pieces in the exhibition explored the "often-confused feelings" of youngsters who have experienced loss, said the spokesperson.

While other pieces, they added, told the story of children who have been diagnosed with a complex condition and have had to grieve what that has taken from them.

Painting, drawing and poetry has opened up conversations with children, they said.

The exhibition is at The Living Room, Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 6 and 7 July between 10:00 and 15:00 BST.