Funded through the Family Focus programme, Scotty’s Little Soldiers (external website) supports military families in which a veteran or serving parent has received a terminal diagnosis. The organisation helps families build the skills they need to prepare for bereavement, navigate their grief, and stay connected to a supportive network that will continue to be available to the child after their parent has died.
Working across the UK, Scotty’s Little Soldiers will extend their existing bereavement support to military families where the veteran or serving parent has a terminal diagnosis, helping them develop the skills needed to prepare for their bereavement and navigate their grief.
Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty’s told us: “Last year, 29% of the children who came to us had already endured the devastating loss of a parent to a terminal illness. This statistic highlights just how vital pre-bereavement support truly is.”
By supporting children from the point of diagnosis, Scotty’s can help families build resilience, strengthen communication, and prepare for the challenging road ahead. “For too long, we’ve carried the weight of not being able to support these brave children through the initial diagnosis, the uncertainty of hospital stays, and the heartbreaking decline of a loved one. This award changes that.
“We can now reach families sooner, stand beside them earlier in their journey, and provide the compassionate, timely support they need.”
This support, tailored to the needs of each child and their family, will be available from diagnosis up until the child’s 25th birthday. This will complement existing NHS and hospice care support, providing a wraparound service which can offer continuity and stability with an understanding of the unique military space.
