Our safe place
Amelie witnessed her dad’s passing after a 4-year battle with cancer, and struggled to express her grief, which often resulted in angry outbursts. At Dandelion Time she was able to open up in a way her mother Emma had never heard before.
In 2023, a quarter of the families visiting Dandelion Time had faced significant bereavement. Whether through the loss of a parent or sibling to suicide, or terminal illness, or losing elderly loved ones, these families came to Dandelion Time seeking ways to cope with life after their loss.
Emma and her daughter Amelie were referred to Dandelion Time following the death of Emma’s husband and Amelie’s father. Below, Emma shares their story.
In 2023, Amelie’s dad passed away after a 4-year battle with cancer. Amelie, previously a happy and smiling girl, witnessed his decline. After his passing, she kept up a cheerful exterior but struggled to express her grief, which often resulted in angry outbursts.
Dandelion Time provided both Amelie and me the chance to be outdoors without distractions. Amelie, who could be quite reserved, opened up to her case worker, Marta, during her first session in a way I had never heard before. She described the sounds and smells of her dad’s illness and the hospital where her dad had died, which always evoked difficult memories.
From that moment, I saw Amelie’s mask fall away, as she felt comfortable being herself at Dandelion Time, whether visiting the sheep, scavenging for treasures to transform into tiny animals, or crafting clay pots.
For me, someone who tends to build walls, talking to Marta was a comfort, and she was always there when I needed her. I had also been receiving cancer treatment, whilst Amelie’s dad was ill and my post-cancer treatment makes me tired, so our time at Dandelion Time allowed me to rest whilst being there for Amelie. There was no pressure for me to join in with Amelie’s activities; I was content watching her engage with the sessions and the people around her.
From that first session, I noticed a change in Amelie. Being outside with the animals, in an open natural environment, suited her and us. One day in the woodland, Amelie was running, carefree, singing, and smiling. She stopped, looked at me, and said, “Mummy, this is my safe place.”
Dandelion Time gave us the freedom to enjoy simple pleasures, like walking in the woodland and participating in various crafts. It was not until our last session that I recognised the profound impact Dandelion Time had, had on us both. During the last session, I saw just how much the case workers, volunteers, other families and environment meant to Amelie.
While Amelie still struggles to articulate her feelings on occasion, her time at Dandelion Time has made her calmer, and her angry outbursts have decreased. She is now more like the smiling, happy little girl she used to be.
*CMH0151 – Evidence on Children and young people’s mental health—the role of education (parliament.uk))
**Childhood Bereavement Network based on 2019-2021 data. Childhood Bereavement Network: Key statistics and Childhood Bereavement Network: Key statistics 2022
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This is a composite case that is indicative of our work, names and images have been changed.
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