Limerick group that helps grieving young people receives national award

GRIEF is a natural part of life, albeit arguably the worst part of life. While mourning is never easy at any age, to be a child and in sorrow at the loss of a loved one is unfathomable.

Providing a safe space for young people in turmoil is Croom native Sister Helen Culhane, who, since 2009, has dedicated her time to helping people struggling with issues relating to death, bereavement and palliative care, at the Children’s Grief Centre which she founded almost 15 years ago.

As a Sister of Mercy, a qualified social worker and psychotherapist, who previously worked at Milford Care Centre, Sr Helen’s experience meant she developed a clear understanding of the needs of children and young people who were experiencing loss.

Recognising the lack of services and support for children and young people who were affected by the death of a loved one, Sr Helen also saw there was an increasing need for support of children and young people who suffer loss due to separation or divorce of parents.

Her vision for the centre was that it would provide every child with a safe space to express and process their grief, ultimately becoming a haven of love and understanding for young people across the Mid-West.

Located in the city on O'Connell Avenue, the centre also serves counties outside of Limerick, such as Clare, Tipperary, and further afield.

The team includes trained, full-time support workers and part-time volunteer support workers with experience in a diverse range of specialist fields including education, nursing, social work and psychotherapy.

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As a result of the hard work of staff and board members, just last week the centre emerged victorious at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2023, winning Mental Health Initiative of the Year.

Discussing the win, Sr Helen said: “We never expected to win an Irish Healthcare Award and we are blown away.

“We believe that early intervention is important and having been up and running for 14 years, we have seen children from all over the Mid-West and indeed Ireland”.

While up against some “big fish,” at the awards, the Croom woman smiled: “To even be shortlisted was like winning an All-Ireland - I'm a big GAA fan as you can tell!”

Presently, the centre, which offers services for free, sees approximately 60 children a week. “It’s grown beyond anything I could ever have expected. Nobody thought it would, but the need is there,” added Sr Helen. “We don’t discuss heavy topics like politics or religion, and we cater to those who find themselves ‘stuck in the middle’ of their families”.

Ready to release the reins to a new CEO in the new year, Sr Helen doesn't plan on leaving the centre completely, and will still work two days a week. She laughed as she admitted: “retirement doesn't sit well with me.”

In another win for Limerick at the awards, Outpatient Initiative of the Year was won by Mungret-based St Gabriel’s Foundation after the opening of their nurse-led Children’s Respite House.

Beaming at the enormity of the wins for the county, the sister added: “Well, you just feel so proud”.