Grief camp for children coming to Bass Coast

Wombat’s Wish, Victoria’s not-for-profit organisation for parentally bereaved children, is bringing their next grief camp to Grantville in June 2023, and invites referrals from across the regions.

Sadly, one in 20 children in Victoria experience the death of a parent.

Due to increasing demand for services in the Bass Coast/Western Port regions, Wombat’s Wish is facilitating a new camp in Grantville in June 2023.

During Wombat’s Wish weekend camps, children work through their grief, memories, and coping strategies, and form meaningful connections and friendships.

A special program is also held during these camps for the surviving parent/carer, to help process their grief, feelings and find support and self-care. Most importantly, through games and activities, from archery to circus skills, the camps bring laughter and fun back to children during a difficult time in their lives.

Wombat’s Wish is entirely funded by donations. Each weekend grief camp is run by a friendly and highly qualified team of psychologists, social workers, youth workers and trained volunteers, and operates at no cost to the families.

Do you know a child who would benefit from a Wombat’s Wish weekend camp or support services?

Anybody who is a parent/carer, or provides professional support (such as a paediatrician, teacher, social worker) to a child who has experienced the death of a parent, can make a referral to Wombat’s

Wish through the website: www.wombatswish.org.au/referrals or email nicki@wombatswish.org.au for more information.

Wombat’s Wish was founded in Geelong in 2005 by local psychologist Jill Crookes and delivers grief camps, support services and dedicated programs for children and their families across Victoria who have experienced the death of a parent. The organisation is currently one of the only specialized support services for bereaved children in Victoria.