The Sunflower Project provides compassionate support for children and young people of school age in Guernsey who have experienced bereavement.
Thoughout 2025 it did just that, with a number of resources and support networks open to its service users.
The charity works under the umbrella of the Youth Commission, and its CEO Lou Leale said “no child or family should feel alone in their grief”.
That remains the charity’s aim for 2026.
“The Sunflower Team is committed to walking alongside families with care, understanding, and hope during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” she explained.
The Sunflower Project offers a range of tailored support to meet the diverse needs of bereaved children, young people, and their families, across the Bailiwick including:
- Information, advice, and resources for parents and carers, including access to a wide range of age-appropriate books
- One-to-one bereavement support for children and young people aged 7–18
- Family support sessions for younger children
- Remembrance events held throughout the year, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas
- Monthly Sunflower Club, providing peer support and fun activities for children and young people bereaved of a parent or sibling
- An annual therapeutic residential weekend and a family trip to Herm
- Training for professionals to support understanding of grief in children and young people
2025 Highlights
2025 was a significant year for the Sunflower Project, said Ms Leale, with several standout moments for herself, her staff and volunteers, and the service users.
Sunflower Herm Residential
The team supported four families who had experienced the death of a parent to attend a residential weekend on Herm. Staying in cottages, families were able to connect with others in similar circumstances, build supportive relationships, and enjoy activities such as kayaking and archery in a safe, nurturing environment.
Continued One-to-One Support
The Sunflower Team received over 100 referrals this year for bereavement support. Staff continue to provide one-to-one sessions, offering children and young people a dedicated space to process emotions, share memories, and remember their loved ones.
Aurigny Sunflower Christmas Flight
In December, corporate sponsor Aurigny created a truly magical experience for families engaged with the service. Children enjoyed a special flight over Guernsey, with the Bailiwick lighting up below as people shone torches skyward. The experience concluded with landing in a festive Christmas wonderland, where children met Father Christmas and his elves, creating joyful memories during a challenging time of year.
Sunflower Club
The monthly Sunflower Club continues to be well attended and highly valued. It provides a safe, supportive space where children can have fun while knowing they are among peers who understand their experiences. Feedback from families and children has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a wish for the club to run more frequently in the future.
Challenges
The greatest challenge faced by the Sunflower Project during 2025 was capacity and time, said Ms Leale.
The service is delivered by a small team of 3–4 staff, balancing intensive one-to-one and family support with remembrance events, seasonal activities, and residentials. While there are many additional initiatives the team would love to introduce, current capacity limits what can be delivered, she said.
2026 Wish List
As the project looks to the future, there are several developments the team hopes to bring to life in 2026, said Ms Leale.
Bereavement Boxes
Creation of bereavement support boxes for families, containing information, guidance, and child-appropriate resources. These would be provided shortly after a death to help families navigate the early stages of grief.
Reintroduction of the Sunflower Summer Fete
The team hopes to revive the annual Summer Fete to promote services, fundraise, and provide a positive community event for families across the island.
Parent Coffee Mornings
Regular coffee mornings for parents and carers, offering a supportive space to connect with others who are experiencing similar journeys.
“The Sunflower Project remains committed to ensuring that no child or family in Guernsey faces bereavement alone, continuing to offer compassion, connection, and hope every step of the way,” said Ms Leale.
