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Organisation launched in memory of teenager who took her own life

Organisation launched in memory of teenager who took her own life

Wednesday 11 December 2024

Organisation launched in memory of teenager who took her own life

Wednesday 11 December 2024


An organisation has been launched by the mother of a Jersey schoolgirl who took her own life over two-and-a-half years ago.

Elizabeth Borman – know as Veta – was born in Jersey but moved to Guernsey as a young child. She attended primary school there before being awarded a place at Guernsey Grammar School at the age of 11.

The teenager attended the grammar school for three years before moving back to Jersey in 2021 to start her GCSE studies at Grainville.

Elizabeth_3.png

Pictured: Elizabeth and her mother, Natasha Borman.

She died aged 15 in Jersey in May 2022 following a period of mental health struggles.

Her mother, Natasha Borman, is hoping to register 'Hope for Veta' as a charity in Jersey with the aim of providing support to children against rape, providing mental health support to families with children aged eight to 18, and promoting sports to children and teenagers.

Hope for Veta also hopes to work with youth participation groups and mental health charities to promote counselling for children and parents.

Ms Borman said: “Seeking advice from these professionals could mean that what happened to our daughter could be avoided for others.”

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Pictured: Elizabeth grew up in Guernsey before moving back to Jersey, where she was born, as a teenager.

A memorial ceremony was also held last month at Grainville School in honour of Elizabeth.

The event included the showing of a film about her life and the painting of a memorial bench outside the main reception.

Ms Borman said it was “a very important day” for her and her family, including Elizabeth’s older siblings.

She said that flowers and bushes had been planted near the area where her daughter's memorial bench is located.

“Elizabeth loved butterflies, so these will attract them," she said.

"And we hope it can be a cheer-up bench for children to sit and share things.”

Elizabeth borman

Pictured: Elizabeth Borman has been remembered at events held in Jersey and Guernsey. 

A tree has also been planted in the grounds of Guernsey Grammar School, where Elizabeth studied after securing a place through the 11+ in 2018.

Friends from both her primary and secondary schools attended a Guernsey memorial service for the teenager, and Ms Borman said those attending had printed pictures of Elizabeth and wrote letters to her.

"The amount of letters was huge and the bigger box had been chosen to fit all of them in it," she said.

Last year, Ms Borman organised ‘Walks of Hope’ in both Jersey and Guernsey to mark one year since her daughter’s "tragic" death and raise awareness of growing mental health issues in young people.

A playlist of Elizabeth’s favourite songs was put together ahead of these walks.

READ MORE...

Tributes paid to "lovely, warm and clever" teenager who took her own life

Mum organises 'Walks of Hope' in memory of teen daughter

SUPPORT...

Youth Enquiry Service - YES can support any young person under the age of 25 and staff are available for them to talk to. Call 0800 7350 010 or drop to Eagle House from Monday to Friday 14:00-18:00, or Saturday 11:00-16:00. 

Kooth - an online mental wellbeing community for young people at www.kooth.com.

Children and Families Hub - the hub is open at Liberte House from Monday to Thursday 08:30 to 17:00, and Fridays between 08:30 and 16:30. They can be reached on the phone (01534 519000) or via email at childrenandfamilieshub@gov.je.

Listening Lounge - The counselling service is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 22:00. People can call 01534 866793 or walk in. 

Anyone who requires urgent mental health support and help can call Adult Mental Health 24-hour crisis line: 01534 445290.

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