The Bear Us In Mind team
Bear Us In Mind was set up by a small but dedicated team of individuals who are committed to the support and wellbeing of children, especially in regards to separation, loss or bereavement. Read more about them, and the project, below.
Our Story
Longer term issues with anxiety and depression can arise when a child is not able to process grief and trauma. The Bear Us In Mind project was created to offer timely and appropriate support to those children for better long-term outcomes.
The toolkit is designed to give an adult the confidence to help a child in a way that is impactful, simple and safe.
With long waiting lists for therapists, we were sure that we needed to create a solution that provides a more immediate intervention for children, enabling the prevention of more complex reactions to loss.
Therefore, our toolkit aims to allow children to begin to process their experiences of separation and loss, while actively retaining connections with people, places and a culture that has shaped their lives. When a child feels psychologically stronger, they are more likely to integrate and adapt to their new situation. We hope this toolkit will bolster adults to help them adapt, so they can learn, love and gradually grow beyond the pain and suffering they have experienced as a part of their childhood.
The Crisis in Ukraine
Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Julie and her team created a ‘psychological toolkit’ including digital guides and training videos to better support those children impacted by the conflict.
Trauma and grief are common psychological outcomes of war. Whether due to bereavement, monumental change, separation or many other factors related to the atrocities of war. While children can often go unnoticed by adults who want to believe they are okay.
The Bear Us In Mind project’s ability to help children deal with a broad spectrum of trauma led the team to lend their support specifically to Ukrainian families and refugees, however due to demand they have now expanded their scope to support children range of locations, including Afghanistan and Iraq
Frances Carron
Project Coordinator
Frances is a trained primary teacher with 20 years of experience as an Advisory teacher, supporting children and young people who have English as an additional language (EAL). In this role, she has taught in schools in the UK, Cairo and America. Frances has designed and delivered training on EAL pedagogy, both face-to-face and online, to teaching staff both in the UK and International schools. Through working with new arrivals, refugees and unaccompanied asylum seekers in UK schools, Frances recognises the challenges faced by children and young people displaced by war. Throughout her career, she has been inspired by the resilience and determination of these children and young people.
Eloise Gordon Lennox
Project Consultant
Eloise helped co-found Bear Us In Mind and was the Project Manager throughout 2022, after graduating from Durham University. She has spent time volunteering with refugees in Calais and Dunkirk and remains involved in Bear Us In Mind as a consultant.
Debbie Redfearn
Therapeutic Consultant
Debbie was the Clinical Lead on Bear Us In Mind throughout 2022, and will continue on a part time basis to support Frances with the project’s next phase. Debbie is an Integrative Counsellor with a special interest in grief, loss and intergenerational trauma.
Janet Richmond
Duchess of Richmond, Founding Patron
Janet Richmond is a practising psychotherapist who has specialised in child bereavement for over 20 years. She is the long-standing President of Winston's Wish, and also works as a therapy supervisor. She lives in Goodwood, where she has recently started the innovative Health and Wellbeing Programme.
Julie Stokes OBE
Founder
Julie is the Founder of child bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish, and works full time with The Preston Associates as an Executive Coach. She has over 30 years’ experience as a CEO, Non-Executive Director, and as a Consultant level Clinical / Health Psychologist. In 2004, Julie was described by the Queen as a “pioneer to the life of the nation”. She has a natural talent for embracing tough subjects and harnessing the creativity and gravitas of the individuals she coaches. She is the author of You Will Be Okay – a non-fiction guide for children (and their parents) following a family death.
You Will Be Okay
With this honest, comforting and strength-building guide, Julie Stokes OBE provides readers with the tools children will need to navigate the tough and turbulent time that comes from the death of a parent, sibling or friend.
Readers will discover the stories of other people who have been through grief themselves, and they will learn to respond themselves, managing their grief so they can begin to move forward in life.