Hatch Benner Solicitors on Theatre Street has announced that they will be working with independent local charity, Nelson’s Journey, for the next three years in a new long-term community partnership agreement.
Nelson’s Journey has supported children and young people in Norfolk who have experienced the death of a significant person by bringing back smiles since 1997. Providing a range of resources and services, they accept referrals from families and professionals for those who may need their support. The charity also supports professionals in the county who work with children, such as teachers and health workers, to help raise awareness of issues affecting bereaved children.
Nelson’s Journey’s vision is that every bereaved child in Norfolk will look forward to a positive future, empowered to reach their full potential.
Hatch Brenner Solicitors will primarily be supporting the Nelson’s Journey Smiles & Tears Boxes for a child or young person who has been recently bereaved. Having been created by the Nelson’s Journey Youth Panel and young volunteers, the contents of the box have been carefully chosen to support recipients through the grieving process.
Hatch Brenner will be funding a quantity of Smiles & Tears Boxes including postage for the next three years. They are also supporting the charity by funding new laptops for the support team.
Simon Wright, Nelson’s Journey Chief Executive commented: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hatch Brenner staff for selecting us to be one of their long term charity partners for the next three years. It is thanks to the tremendous support of our local community including businesses like Hatch Brenner that our work with hundreds of bereaved children and young people in the county is possible.
“The Smiles & Tears Boxes are a very important step in the grieving process for a young person who has been recently bereaved. Our Youth Panel identified that many adults and friends around a recently bereaved young person do not know what to say to offer comfort. They felt passionately that a supportive gift containing helpful information, activities and treats would have been of great comfort to them at a very challenging time helping to them to understand and cope with their feelings. The box contains age-specific items including specially created bereavement mindfulness colouring postcards, a feelings ball, emotions magnet, happy jar, soft toy, chocolate bar and journal.”
Dawn Parkes, Hatch Brenner Managing Partner commented: “We are pleased to be supporting Nelson’s Journey over the next three years with this new partnership. In addition to funding the Smiles & Tears boxes, we have offered the time and energy of our Norwich workforce to the charity and hope to be able to support them through lots of activities as we progress with the relationship. Where needed, we will also be offering our legal expertise to the Nelson’s Journey Advisors including regarding private client law. We look forward to the relationship developing over the coming years, and hope to hold a business event in 2021 when we are able to do so safely.”
Simon Wright added: “As a result of the restrictions of the coronavirus outbreak, our referral process and support offer has changed. We are operating our Support Line service enabling families and professionals to speak directly with a Child Bereavement Support Worker. If you would like to refer a child or young person for support, you can call 01603 431788, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we are able.”
Find out more about the Tears and Smiles boxes: Smiles & Tears Gift Box – Nelson’s Journey | Child Bereavement Help for Norfolk
Read more: Hatch Brenner Invested in our Community