SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West and Scottish Government Minister for Children and Young People, Natalie Don, is marking Children’s Grief Awareness Week 2023.

This year’s theme, ‘The Shape of Your Support’, focuses on the people around a bereaved child or young person, beyond their friends or family, that can be there to support them through their grief.

A debate on Grief Awareness Week was led by Stuart McMillan MSP in the Scottish Parliament, which heard touching contributions from all parties across the chamber.

While closing the debate, Ms Don reflected on her own personal experience of losing her Dad at two years old, highlighting the lack of support that was available to her and her Mum at this time and the lasting impacts this has had.

Commenting, Natalie Don MSP said:

“I thank Stuart McMillian MSP for bringing the debate to the Scottish Parliament to recognise Children’s Grief Awareness Week. This is a very important topic to me, given my own experience of childhood bereavement.

“The Scottish Government recognises that bereavement can affect many aspects of life, which is why a Cross Policy Bereavement Network has been set up to ensure there is a more joined up approach from Ministers, enabling more strategic government action and providing a single point of access for bereavement partners.

“The Scottish Government has also provided over £14 million each year to 115 organisations that provide invaluable support and guidance to children and their families that have lost a loved one.

“We also know that there is more to do, which is why the Scottish Government will continue to engage with and listen to the bereavement sector in order to provide a collaborative approach to supporting those who need it most.”