Who are SeeSaw?

SeeSaw provides support for children and young people in Oxfordshire when someone important to them is seriously ill or has died.

What does SeeSaw do?

At SeeSaw, we know there are no ‘magic wands’: we can’t change what has already happened – or might be happening in the future. So how do we help?  

 We listen carefully to each family and young person’s needs, offering the appropriate level of support. This might include:

  • Recommending a range of tailor-made resources for young people of different ages and learning needs
  • Supporting parents, carers, and teachers better understand how they can support their bereaved young people.
  • Where appropriate, our team of bereavement support practitioners and volunteer support workers work 1:1 to help young people, their families, and support networks face their future with hope. 

1:1 support

What it isn’t

The first thing to know is that SeeSaw practitioners are not counsellors or therapists and therefore we don’t offer counselling sessions.

Grief is not a mental illness that needs ‘fixing’: it’s a normal reaction to change and loss, and SeeSaw help with managing this.

 

What it is

In our 1:1 work our trained bereavement practitioners support by exploring what you need at that time – this means that individual sessions vary from person to person. However, across all our sessions, we aim to provide the same support:

  • If someone important to you is seriously ill:

When someone has a serious illness, SeeSaw are here to help you think about what might be happening in your family and to listen and understand what impact this has on you.
You will have space to reflect on what’s happening in your world and develop some tools to manage change and uncertainty.

  • If someone important to you has died:

When someone important to you has died SeeSaw are here to help you understand and make sense of grief and how it may be affecting you. You will have space to reflect on what’s happened in your world and develop some tools to manage thoughts and feelings.

 

What it looks like

Because we tailor our support to each young person, our sessions can be quite varied. We work with you to explore what you need and what makes you feel most comfortable. We might do some creative activities if you like making things, or if you prefer to be active we might go for a walk while we talk, or kick a ball around.

 

How long it lasts

Sessions tend to last between half an hour to an hour, and might be every week, or every fortnight – depending on what you feel is best for you.

 

Where it happens

Our aim is to provide support in the place you feel most comfortable. Generally this means we come and see you at home. If you feel that it would be easier to talk elsewhere we can arrange to see you in school/ college, or you can come to our family room in our Headington office.