“After Cruse” by Padraig Gribbin (aged 10)
Evaluation Summary of Cruse Bereavement Care’s
Services to Children and Young People
From 2008 - 2012
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RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
FOREWORD
The devastating impact of bereavement on children and young people is
clearly demonstrated by the drawings of those who took part in this
evaluation. Sadness and grief are shown in a way that is hard to put into
words. It is vital that all children and young people receive the support
that they need after the death of someone close, to help them to
express their feelings and develop their coping skills.
Over 800 children aged 4-18 and their families have come to Young
Cruse in Northern Ireland over the last 5 years and shared their stories,
tears and courage with us. From the beginning they have been key to
the development of services.
Rainbows present a picture of light, variety and hope. Perhaps it is no
surprise that many of these children and young people drew rainbows to
show how they felt after they had received support from Cruse. They
have been helped to find new hope in their lives though our staff,
volunteers and the support they have given each other. They have all
become ‘Rainbow Makers’.
The project has provided life-changing benefits for all those involved.
The learning outcomes will be valuable to all who provide bereavement
support services for children and young people across the UK. Let us all
help create new rainbows where they are needed most.
Our sincere thanks to the Big Lottery Fund and all those involved in this
project.
Debbie Kerslake
Chief Executive, Cruse Bereavement Care
INTRODUCTION
In 2008, Cruse Bereavement Care (Cruse) was successful in securing a 5year award of £384,717 from the Big Lottery Fund Reaching
Communities programme to deliver a range of bereavement support
services to children and young people across Northern Ireland. The
programme commenced in October 2008. Now, having completed
almost 5 years of sustained and targeted delivery, it requires an
independent evaluation to assess its achievements and to shape the
future provision of bereavement services to children and young people.
Copius Consulting was commissioned to fulfil this requirement in March
2013. This evaluation, conducted between March and August 2013,
outlines the outcomes and outputs of the Young Cruse project over the
past 4 years – between October 2008 and October 2012.
A WORD FROM OUR FUNDERS
When Big Lottery Fund invested in Cruse's Children & Young People's
Project in Northern Ireland in 2008, our Committee recognised that the
project addressed a key need - delivering support specifically designed to
meet the needs of young people dealing with bereavement and
providing vital training for the volunteers who support them.
This project’s success is already well recognised; it was nominated in the
Best Health category of the National Lottery Awards in 2010, and
awarded runner up at national level. Young Cruse is on target to meet
their outcomes and we are delighted to have been able to support this
vital work, helping children and young people who have lost a loved one.
Joanne McDowell
Northern Ireland Director, Big Lottery Fund
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RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
ABOUT CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE
Cruse Bereavement Care is the UK’s largest bereavement charity, providing
somewhere to turn when someone dies and enhancing society’s care of
bereaved people.
Cruse was established in Northern Ireland in 1984. It operates from a
regional office based in Belfast and seven local area offices throughout
Northern Ireland. Bereavement support is provided by one-to-one or group
support, a telephone helpline and dissemination of literature. There is also a
UK national help line, website and e-mail support specifically for young
people. In the past year, 429 volunteers gave more than 45,000 thousand
hours to support bereaved people of all ages, including children aged 4 – 18.
YOUNG CRUSE PROJECT
The Young Cruse Project was established in 2005 with grants from the Big
Lottery Fund and BBC Children in Need. Since then more then 800 children
and young people have accessed Young Cruse services.
The vision of Young Cruse is:
“That all Bereaved Children and Young People in Northern Ireland
will have somewhere to turn to when someone dies.”
The project aims are:
 To provide a face-to-face bereavement support service for children aged
4-18 across NI.
 To involve young people in the shaping and delivery of the service.
 To develop skills and talents of bereavement volunteers.
 To raise community awareness of childhood bereavement.
To achieve this vision, Young Cruse has developed a number of key project
outcomes in conjunction with the Big Lottery Fund:
1. Children & Young People: 500 children and young people will have
improved health and well-being as a result of accessing Cruse services.
2. Youth Advisory Group (YAG): 35 bereaved young people will have
increased skills, confidence & input to the project through participating
on the Cruse YAG.
3. Volunteers: 100 new volunteers will be equipped and trained to deliver
bereavement support services to children.
4. Youth & Community Groups: 50 youth and community groups will be
more aware of child bereavement support services to children.
5. Parents and Carers: 1,000 parents and carers will be more confident in
their capacity to support bereaved children and young people.
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
The aims of the project evaluation included:
 Provide an objective assessment of the project’s achievements over the last
5 years in order to measure the impact of our service delivery, build on our
learning and plan effectively for the future.
 Further involve young clients in the shaping and delivery of this service.
 Provide thorough accountability to funders and stakeholders.
Copius Consulting gathered both quantitative and qualitative information in
order to measure achievements under each of the above outcomes. All
quantitative information is based on the first 4 years of the project (2008 –
2012). The qualitative information on the following pages was generated from
discussions and consultation activity with eight target groups:




Regional and Area Staff
Youth Advisory Group
Young Clients (12-18 years)
Young Clients (5-11 years)




Schools and Teachers
Consultants and Trainers
Volunteers
Management Staff
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RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
OUTCOME 1: 500 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE IMPROVED HEALTH AND WELLBEING AS A RESULT OF ACCESSING CRUSE SERVICES
Target
500 children and
young
people
accessing Young
Cruse services by
end of project.
Total 2008-2012
800 referrals and/or
initial assessment.
An
estimated 400 have
accessed 3 or more faceto-face support sessions.
Commentary
The data presented indicates that this outcome has been fully met; the children and young people who
received face-to-face support clearly experienced improved health and wellbeing as a result of accessing Cruse
services.
Since 2008, 800 children and young people have been referred to Cruse, and have received information and
support. Approximately 400 of these children and young people have received 3 or more support sessions.
Those who did not access face-to-face support may have received sufficient information at referral point or
may have received support elsewhere due to shortage of volunteers to meet demand.
Whilst presented as one overall group in the quantitative findings above this client group has been separated into two distinct age ranges: Firstly, the 5-11 age
group and secondly, the 12-18 age group.
QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (5-11 YEARS)
Given the age group of the children, creative methods were
deployed to encourage feedback, such as art and play. The
children were asked to draw how they felt before and after
accessing Young Cruse services.
This proved to be an extremely powerful and successful
method to elicit information. The before and after drawings
are shown in the following pages. The name in brackets
beneath each child’s name indicates who has died.
Copius Consultant Robert Crowe with
Young Cruse Clients
Young clients “thinking on paper”.
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (5-11-year-olds)
How has life changed for you since accessing Young Cruse?
Ryan – images that describe how Ryan was feeling before and after
accessing Young Cruse services to help him deal with the loss of his sister
and grandparents
During focus groups, the young clients and their parents revealed how
their life had changed in a number of ways, including:
 It helped me be less cheeky, not arguing with school teachers, and
happy to get on with work.
 Greater confidence to get involved in activities, events and
socialising.
 Be more cheerful and honest; can now have a positive relationship
with family members again.
 Gained more friends and are able to talk more openly and
confidently about their feelings
 Reported that they listened better in school and were able to
concentrate on their homework
 Able to sleep better at night, with one child saying they are ‘not so
worried when we think of her.’
 The young clients also said they had learnt new games and activities
during Cruse support sessions that they now use to help them
concentrate.
How did the Young Cruse Volunteers help you?
The children in the focus group described how their Cruse volunteers
played games with them, such as Lego, Dominoes and Aqua Beads and
worked with memory jars, friendship bracelets and puppets. The young
clients explained how the volunteers spoke to them and they had ‘lots of
stuff to talk about.’ The activities helped to develop new and positive ways
of remembering their special person who had died, as well as developing
their friendships and learning new skills.
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (5 – 11 YEARS)
Jenna
Before
Padraig
(“Nana”)
Before
After
After
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (5 – 11 YEARS)
Adam
(Mother)
Cillian
(‘Nana’)
Before
Before
After
After
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (12 – 18 YEARS)
How has life changed for you since coming to Cruse?
Friends
The young people explained how learning and support through Young Cruse has
enabled them to express their feelings with their friends and not ‘be afraid to
cry when I’m with them.’ One young person said ‘My friends like me more
because I’m less rough’. Another young person said he now goes out with
friends again and has realised which ‘friends are better for me.’
Activities
One young person stated that before Cruse, she found it hard to
communicate, but she is now getting involved in groups and clubs that she
never would have before. The young people discussed how they do things
they enjoy and have more confidence to join in on things. One person said
he’s not left out anymore and he brings his PE kit into school more, indicating
that previously he may have purposely left it at home to avoid PE lessons.
School
Getting support at Young Cruse also impacted the young people at school. They
felt that they were concentrating more in school and working hard to ‘make
them (the person who had died) proud.’ They were less cheeky, not arguing with
the teacher so much, and more able to get on with their work. One girl said, ‘I
came out of my bubble and feel welcome ever since I told my boy about coming
to Young Cruse.’
Home
‘ I used to walk out on my mum,’ stated one young client, but Cruse has
helped her be more cheerful and honest and she can now have an open
relationship with her mum. ‘I talk a lot more to my mum and don’t argue as
much.’
How did Young Cruse volunteers assist you?
• ‘He didn’t try to put words in my mouth or try to tell me how I felt. He asked how I felt and listened to me. When I didn’t feel like talking he let me draw and do
other things so that I didn’t feel pressurized or awkward. Made me feel comfortable. Reassured me and made me feel like it wasn’t the end of the world.’
• ‘She told me not to be embarrassed about crying in her presence. She didn’t force me to speak, and when I did speak, she just listened and didn’t interrupt and
just waited for a while to make sure I definitely had finished.’
• ‘They helped me when I had got really sad. She found easier ways to talk to me, as I can be a shy person. Helped me when I needed it. She helped me get
through what I needed to.’
• All young clients indicated that the volunteer could not have done anything further to help or assist them – one commented that she wished she could have
accessed the volunteer’s support over a longer period of time.
• The general consensus was that the young people responded well to the relaxed and open conversation with the volunteers, without any pressure to talk and
without being forced to speak when they didn’t want to. The volunteer support appears to be a crucial service to the young people.
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (12 - 18 YEARS)
Conall
(Uncle/Godfather)
Victoria
(Father)
Stronger
More accepted /
liked
Solitary
Stuck out
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (12 - 18 YEARS)
Jane
(Grandparents)
“I was there
but couldn’t
be seen”.
Dylan
(Grandparent)
“I could talk to people
and socialise again”.
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (12 -18 YEARS)
Types of Young Cruse services accessed?
100% of the Young Cruse clients polled in this age bracket
had received 1-1 support, while 80% had received group
support through the Cruse Youth Advisory Group.
Why did you want to come to Cruse for Support?
The percentages below represent the number of young clients who
agreed with the suggested reasons for coming to Cruse for support.
Many added their own reasons as well.
100%
50%
50%
• To help me cope better with my grief and give me the
chance to grieve in my own way
• Because I didn’t feel able to talk to anyone at home about
my feelings
• They were worried about how I was doing emotionally,
mentally or physically
Other reasons:
 I was getting into trouble at school or home a lot
 I was getting really upset and taking it out on my mum
 To answer some of my questions about death and bereavement
 To understand I wasn’t the only one grieving in the family
Treasured memories.
How did Young Cruse volunteers assist you?
• ‘She gave me time before she started asking questions about
the death. She let me talk and she listened.’
• ‘She helped me with the loss of my nanny, granddad and great
granddad because they all passed away in 10 months’
• ‘We made a memory jar from salt coloured with chalk to help
me keep my memories of the person I lost.’
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OUTCOME 2: 35 BEREAVED YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE INCREASED SKILLS, CONFIDENCE AND INPUT TO THE PROJECT THROUGH PARTICIPATING ON
THE CRUSE YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP (YAG).
QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS
Target
Total 2008-2012
35 bereaved young people aged 12-25 involved in the
Cruse Youth Advisory Group (YAG), by the end of the
project.
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Commentary
The programme is on target to achieve the outcome as 80% of the total target
was met by end of Year 4.
QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
Why did they get involved in the YAG?
Consultation found varied reasons the young people
became involved in the YAG. Some young people became
involved because of family members who already attended
Cruse, (‘older sister is in YAG,’ ‘Mum went to Cruse and she
thought getting involved in YAG would help me’). One
member stated he became involved after being referred to
the group by a Marie Curie Support Worker.
The young people said they wanted to ‘meet people with
similar stories at different stages,’ as well as to make new
friends and enjoy the ‘banter’. One member said they were
involved in a similar group but they didn’t feel that they got
enough out of it, whilst another discussed the attraction of
how informal the group is, that they take part in fun
activities and have made new friends.
YAG members with Health Minister Edwin Poots at Cruse’s “Journey Into
Hope” conference in 2011.
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
Change in skills and confidence as a result of participation in the
Youth Advisory Group?
Group workshop discussions with the members of the YAG highlighted a
number of increases in their skills and confidence as a result of their
participation on the programme. These include:
• Confidence in speaking at public seminars where they mixed with lots of
new people from different backgrounds and ages (e.g. Downpatrick Youth
Group event)
• Improved confidence in chatting to influential people, in jobs and at
university
• Listening skills improved after ‘listening to everyone’s personal journey,’
transferring this into school and university conversations
• The activities they have participated in as part of the YAG have also
improved their organisation, planning, and teamwork skills (e.g., DVD
project)
Adam and Phil at a YAG day out.
• A key task of helping to recruit, train and interview Young Cruse volunteer
was highlighted as an activity that helped to improve their decision
making and evaluation skills
• Has also helped the members increase their creativity through the various
arts and crafts projects, such as memory jars, life maps and memory trees.
• Made life-long friends within the YAG, who I’m comfortable discussing
deeply personal things with.
Participants in “Hope Day”, run by Young Cruse in 2012 for young people
bereaved by suicide.
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QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS
What difference has Youth Advisory Group (YAG) made for the
participants personally?
Involvement in the YAG has benefited the young people
personally in a range of ways:
• Talking openly with YAG makes it easier to talk to friends at
home
• The informality of the group meetings has also helped some
members with healing and the different stages of the grieving
process, with one member saying ‘it’s not like counselling, it’s
more informal with less pressure.’
• The group members all said that going to the YAG meetings is
always something they look forward to doing.
YAG Panel at “Journey into Hope” conference, attended by more than
200 delegates.
What difference has YAG made in the public arena?
Publicising and awareness raising by YAG members
• Went to Westminster – talked to MPs and other organisations
about Young Cruse
• Video day in Botanic gardens
• Doing youth panels and running our own workshops at
conferences – showed people what Young Cruse is about
• Helped put YAG on the map – nominated for National Lottery
awards.
• Have given interviews about our experiences to the media for
things like the Belfast Telegraph and The Times.
YAG member Jane Molloy with volunteer Ruth Wilson at Young Cruse
planning day
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS - YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP
How have the young people used these skills and improved confidence since they got involved in Youth Advisory Group?
Within the Young Cruse Project:
The group discussed the use of their improved skills and confidence while
taking part in various Young Cruse projects. Young people felt
improvements in:
• Increased confidence – helped them with public speaking events at
youth clubs, school assemblies, and workshop days and youth panels.
• Increased patience as a result of the YAG, helping them deal with
awkward or uncomfortable encounters.
• Made life long friends within the YAG, who they are comfortable
discussing ‘deeply personal things with.’
• More comfortable and confident in talking to new YAG members due to
their own experience of being on the YAG.
• Ability to talk more openly about their feelings, voicing their opinions
within the group and exploring new ideas.
A collage
of life
maps
created
by Young
Cruse
Clients
during
the
“Being
There”
project.
Outside the young Cruse Project:
The increased skills and confidence gained as a result young people’s participation
in Young Cruse have enabled them to:
• Improve their employment opportunities, prepare for and grow confidence for
job interviews.
• Better social skills, ‘I’m like a totally new person.’
• Helped them greatly in preparing for and starting university.
• Helped them with university presentations and talking / answering questions in
lectures as well as organisation, creative thinking and group work during
workshops and seminars.
• Some members also explained how ‘talking to outsiders about personal
experiences has become better,’ and ‘listening skills have improved – I went on
to do a counselling course and pre-existing skills learned in YAG helped me in the
course.’
Expectations . . .
“I didn’t expect to be taken as seriously – I
was treated like an adult, even at age 15.”
“I didn’t expect to have
so much fun!”
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RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
QUALITATIVE FINDINGS (CONT’D)
What difference has your involvement in YAG made to:
Schools / Youth Clubs where YAG made
presentations
• Told personal story to youth group, hopefully
helped them in their journey / raised awareness
• Helped me share my story to people who may
have been affected in the same situation
• Told my story at youth clubs
Recruitment of new YAG members
• Fun days
• Helping younger members gel with older
members
• Encouraging them to share stories
• Support from people of similar age
• Allowed me to open up to other bereaved young
people, something that helped me a lot
Other bereaved young people who may not know
much about Young Cruse / Cruse?
• Told bereaved friends about YAG n Young Cruse
• Helping young people find out about seminars
that can help them a lot
• Offering support to friends
• Using listening skills to help others e.g. friends
outside / school friends
Were there any surprise outcomes, i.e. things you didn’t expect to get out
of your involvement?
• No bad outcomes, I come back because of the positive experiences
• Didn’t expect to make friends – nervous when I first went along
• Didn’t expect to have the ability / confidence to talk about my own
personal experiences / situations to other people my age
• Didn’t think we’d do as many activities that are useful, e.g. workshops,
learning new skills etc.
• Didn’t expect to be in it for 8 years!
• Didn’t expect to get to go to events such as the National Lottery awards
• Didn’t expect to be taken as seriously – I was treated like an adult, even at
age 15
• Didn’t expect to do so many activities / projects
• Didn’t expect to enjoy it / have fun, thought it would be a more
depressing group experience
Young Cruse members preparing life maps at the “Being There”
film project.
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RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
OUTCOME 3: 100 NEW VOLUNTEERS WILL BE EQUIPPED AND TRAINED TO DELIVER BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES TO
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS
Target
100 new volunteers equipped and trained to deliver
bereavement support services by the end of the project.
Total 2008-2012
91
Commentary
The programme is well on track to achieving and potentially exceed
the target of 100 new volunteers.
QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
What impact has the training you received in Young Cruse had on you and on others?
 Hundreds of people have benefitted from the training and support I received. I have
used the training with children as young as 5 and as old as 18
 The training had a big impact on me as an individual. I am now a psychotherapist and
the Young Cruse training was very inspiring for me.
 The Young Cruse training helps children to get on with their lives. It helps them to settle
and lets them know where they are.
 A lot of people have benefitted from the training. I indirectly use it regularly as I am a
special needs coordinator in a school and it has helped with students’ emotional and
behavioural issues. I have also used it with adults and family members as well as adults
with learning difficulties, which brings other challenged, so it has a wider impact.
 Several pupils in the school have suffered bereavement and I have used the training to
help them cope. I think the play and art therapy aspect of the training has been very
important as it gives children a medium to engage and protects them from being
exposed.
 The training has impacted a wide spectrum of people from children, their siblings,
parents and grandparents.
 The training has changed me and my perspective on life. It has broadened how I think
about certain things and how I approach bereavement
The finale of a Young Cruse volunteer training event.
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QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
How have you used your training to impact Children and Young People?
• The impact of the training has been excellent on me personally. I first got into it when one of my students’ relatives was killed by joy riders. Before I started
the training I didn’t know what I was doing but afterwards I felt empowered to deliver bereavement support.
• It is amazing to see the difference in them after a couple of weeks. Their whole behaviour changes and it is very rewarding for a volunteer as parents would
tell us how their children are sleeping much better and that they are more content.
• All the feedback that I receive has been very good. For example, older teenagers maybe aren’t as good at expressing themselves, but their relatives would say
that they seem much happier and more settled.
• I have helped over 100 children and adults, thanks to the Young Cruse training. I have used it extensively with children and their families. I also coach a football
team and I have used it there. There was a suicide in one of the players’ families so I used my training to support the players and their friends.
• The feedback which I have received has been very positive. I have had cards sent to me expressing gratitude for the bereavement care so it is clearly
beneficial.
How have you used your training to support parents and carers?
The training received by volunteers helped them to have a positive impact on the
parents and carers of the children and young people they support. Volunteers
were able to make parents aware of adult Cruse services and provide them more
information to help them support their children. Other ways in which their
training could impact the parents / carers was the consistency of their approach
and access to resources. Volunteers said ‘standards across the board and sticking
to boundaries’ were important in their support.
In addition the volunteers indicated a range of activities and games they
encourage the children and young people to play with their parents that
indirectly supports the parents and carers. This included:
• Drawing, Pictures, Painting, Use of puppets, Role plays, Balloons, Salt jars, and
Friendship bracelets
• Remembering good things
• Children confiding in parents so that they could cope at home.
Children’s Room at North Down & Ards Cruse
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OUTCOME 4: 50 YOUTH AND COMMUNITY BASED GROUPS WILL BE MORE AWARE OF CHILD BEREAVEMENT ISSUES.
QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS
Target
Total 2008-2012
50 youth and community groups will be more aware of child
bereavement issues by the end of Year 5.
39
Commentary
At the end of Year 4, the project is one group short of the target of 40.
There is an increasing demand for this awareness raising service, and the
target will be fully met by the end of Year 5.
QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
How did you become aware of the Young Cruse project?
What has been the impact for the group?
• One of my colleagues made me aware of Cruse Bereavement Care
services and we contacted them.
• The school required someone to come in and talk to the pupils about
bereavement and I already knew about Cruse so I went on their website
and got in touch.
The training has impacted the schools in a number of ways:
• Staff assisting pupils who have had recent bereavements
• Pupils more aware of support available to them (internal and external to
the school)
• Enabled school as a whole to work together to tackle bereavement
issues
What services have you accessed through the Young Cruse project?
• Since we have received the training a couple of our pupils have been
affected by bereavement. They are still struggling and a number of our
staff have been helping the children on a regular basis.
• Over 160 of our young people heard the bereavement presentations
which took place over two sessions. Both sessions were very helpful and
the young people were very positive about the presentations that were
delivered.
Have you experienced any unintended outcomes whilst participating?
• The training has enabled us to be more aware, to have more discussion
and to work closer as a team to tackle the issue of bereavement and
how young people cope and deal with it and, importantly, how the
school can help.
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RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
YAG member Christopher Murray helping with
School Assembly Memory Tree Exercise.
Families come together to remember at Young Cruse Christmas party 2012.
Young Cruse National Lottery Award Representatives, 2010
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OUTCOME 5: 1,000 PARENTS AND CARERS WILL BE MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR CAPACITY TO SUPPORT BEREAVED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS
Target
1,000 parents and carers will
be more confident in their
capacity to support bereaved
children and young people by
the end of project.
Total 2008-2012
962
Commentary
By the end of Year 4, the programme had almost reached its 5 year target for this outcome. 962 parents
and carers have been engaged in the programme and are now more confident to deal with children and
young people who have been affected by bereavement. This is a significant area of work given the wider
participation benefits for children, young people and their families. It is anticipated the target will be
exceeded by the end of the project.
QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
Has confidence increased as a result of participation in the Young Cruse
training programme?
Has the training parents and carers received at Young Cruse allowed them
to increase their support to others?
• 100% of respondents indicated their confidence had increased as a result
of taking part in the Young Cruse training.
• All of the respondents indicated that they felt they could approach
bereavement with children and young people in a more confident and
knowledgeable manner.
• 100% of respondents indicated they were now better equipped to
support others as a direct result of the training received through Young
Cruse.
• Four of the respondents gave first hand examples of how they have
helped children in a school, in their family and among their circle of
friends, thanks to the Young Cruse training.
How would you rate the standard of training you have received through the Young Cruse project?
• The training was very well put together and very interesting
• It was very useful, enjoyable and well delivered
• I think it was really well delivered. If it was to be improved I would have liked to have seen an interview scenario that focussed on the parent left behind
following bereavement as well as the children.
• I’m actually a teacher and I’m going to use it in our school. It was very professional and I give it the thumbs up
• It was varied and interesting. I really learned a lot and thought those delivering the training were very helpful and interesting. They were keen for everyone to
get involved and participate
21
RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS
Effective and efficient financial management of any publicly funded
programme is of critical importance. This section provides an analysis of how
the financial element of the Young Cruse programme was managed and
administered in line with those expectations and guidelines.
This analysis of the project’s financial management is based on budgeted costs,
actual spend and the variance thereof over a four year period. The Young
Cruse programme received support against revenue, capital and overhead cost
areas.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 2008 – 2012
The programme is now in year 5 of its delivery; however, this analysis will only
consider the first full four years of delivery (October 2008 – September 2012).
TOTAL COSTS
Total project costs to year 4 (2008 – 12)
Agreed costs
Actual
expenditure
Variance
£
£
£
Total Revenue Costs
293,966
269,321
(24,645)
Total Overhead Costs
20,422
20,022
(400)
Total Capital Costs
3,500
3,235
(265)
Total Expenditure
317,888
292,578
(25,310)
Overall the programme (across all budget areas) shows a total spend of
£292,578 against a budget of £317,888. This represents an under-spend of
£25,310 across all four years. Appropriate measures are in place to ensure
that efficient usage of this under-spend is addressed in Year 5 of the
programme and beyond.
Conall McCooey as a “dancing Christmas tree” at YAG family
Christmas Party 2011
22
RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
DEMONSTRATING IMPACT – THE VALUE OF PROJECT DELIVERY
This sub section outlines a rudimentary calculation of the per participant cost
associated with the programme delivery outcomes. This has been calculated
using the overall costs associated with project delivery (including capital, staff
salaries, training delivery, equipment etc.) divided by the number of
beneficiaries taking part in the programme. This per participant cost has been
calculated on one year’s costs using the year four programme finances
(October 2011 – September 2012). Some key figures are outlined below:
Improve health and well being of children
 241 children accessed support from Cruse based on an average of 6
sessions with a volunteer at a cost of £128.24 per child. (total cost to
deliver this outcome in year 4 = £30,906 ÷ 241 referrals = £128.24).
Volunteer Training and Contribution
 37 volunteers equipped to deliver bereavement support to children and
young people. Value of volunteer return: £51,548.50 (3,275 hours x
£15.74 per hour* and £1,222 total spend on volunteer training including
staff salaries etc. = £45,232.38 ÷ 37 volunteers = £1,222)
Capacity building of parents, carers and professionals
 99 individuals accessed training and education to support bereaved
children and young people at a cost of £209 per person. (total cost =
£20,742 ÷ 99 = £209).
DEMONSTRATING IMPACT – WHAT IMPACT DOES CRUSE MAKE?
Young Cruse’s support of bereaved children and young people also has a
financial impact on:
 DHSSPS savings
 Improved wellbeing of bereaved children and young people
 Better school attendance / success
* Source: Cruse Bereavement Care Report of Council Under the Companies Act 2006 – year
ended 31st March 2012
As an example of the financial impact of one of these areas – NHS information
outlines some key financial benchmarks:
 A GP visit costs £36**
 Medication following GP consultation costs £41**
 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) session costs the NHS £65 for a 55
minute session**
The table below outlines a number of assumptions that can be made with
relevance to the NHS savings above (these figures are based on annual
programme delivery of Year 4 of the Young Cruse Service ):
Assumption
Relevance to Young Cruse
Financial Impact
Each client supported by Cruse
could save DHSSPS the cost of 3
GP visits
241 clients seen pa (at
£108 saved pr client)
£26,028 pa
25% of young clients not taking
one prescription for drugs
60 clients (at £41 each)
£2,460 pa
25% of clients would
accessed 6 CBT sessions
60 clients (at £390 each)
£23,400 pa
have
TOTAL ESTIMATED SAVINGS
£51,888 pa
This total estimated saving of £51,888 per annum is a significant figure and it is
worth noting that this calculation does not take account of the potential
savings that could be accrued against other statutory service provision outlined
opposite (i.e. Better school attendance / success and improved wellbeing of
bereaved people) by the Young Cruse project. This therefore provides a strong
argument for investment in this project and for vital resources to support
bereaved children and young people.
** Source: PSSRU – Unit Cost of Health and Social Care 2011
23
RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations that arise from this evaluation are outlined below. In total there are 13 recommendations presented for further consideration by the
relevant project personnel and key partners. These recommendations are presented with the aim of ensuring programme delivery benefits can be maximised for
the remainder of the Big Lottery Funded programme, as well as sustaining the programme in the future. The recommendations have been themed and aligned to
key programme areas.
Theme
Recommendation
Programme
Development
 To explore the possibility of increasing the number of access points that children, young people and their families have to Young Cruse
support, for example, group and family support, more sessions etc.
 To implement a proactive measure that ensures parents and carers are contacted and offered further support approximately 6 months
after ending support sessions.
 To offer group work for a range of participants including young clients, parents/carers and volunteers.
Volunteer /
Training
 To implement strategies, activities and programmes that aim to retain volunteers involvement and active participation in Young Cruse.
 To ensure that all Young Cruse supervisors receive a thorough overview of the ACBC training course undertaken by all Young Cruse
volunteers.
 To further develop processes within Cruse in order to ensure that all staff and volunteers receive an organisation induction that is
consistent across all seven Cruse areas.
 To increase the number of training / reward events available to volunteers throughout the year.
Structural
Programme
Support
 To explore the idea of having a dedicated member of staff in each Cruse Area office to undertake Young Cruse administration work.
 To clarify and clearly communicate with all stakeholders that Young Cruse is a central / core element of Cruse Bereavement Care’s
support services.
 To ensure there is consistent implementation of Young Cruse policies, procedures and practices (new and existing) across the seven
Cruse areas.
Marketing and
Communication
 To implement a coordinated and targeted communication programme that ensures Young Cruse is the first support service that families
and those children and young people bereaved think of when they need a service of this nature.
Financial
 To continue to explore future funding opportunities that will sustain Young Cruse service delivery post Big Lottery Fund support.
Website and
Social Media
 To increase the promotion of the RD4U website and other Young Cruse media tools, particularly to volunteers.
24
RAINBOW MAKERS SUMMARY EVALUATION REPORT
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
This summary evaluation report has been presented to provide a snapshot of
the key findings outlined in the full report.
Overall the Young Cruse project delivery has largely exceeded the anticipated
outcomes in terms of qualitative targets and quantitative data. The majority of
this evaluation has focused on the qualitative or real-life impacts that the
project has made on participants.
Consultation feedback has clearly shown that those who have participated in
the programme have experienced extremely positive and life changing benefits
from the services they have received through Cruse. From volunteers to
parents / carers; young clients to YAG members, each have described how
their lives have changed for the better through their involvement in Young
Cruse.
This project has undoubtedly met and exceeded all expectations in terms of its
impact on people’s live – real, genuine, life changing impacts. This is most
clearly evident from the drawings produced by the children and young people
who participated in the evaluation process. This is a prime example of how a
picture does paint a thousand words.
-Robert Crowe, Copius Consulting
“Hope Day” Participants
“Children grieve in much the same
way as adults, but they often need a
different language for their grief,
the language of play and art. In
Young Cruse, these are the
communication tools we use as we
accompany children and young
people through grief.”
Elaine Roub, Young Cruse Coordinator
25
RAINBOW MAKERS CASE STUDIES
BRIDGET MOLLOY (YAG MEMBER)
I first heard about Young Cruse when a lady I knew from the Marie Curie
Hospice told me about it. At first I wasn’t sure but when I went it really
exceeded all of my expectations. For me, in a difficult stage in my life
after my mother died, it was a really good opportunity to meet new
people, around my age, who were going through the same painful
experience.
From that aspect alone it was really good for me. As a family we had
some pre-bereavement care from the Marie Curie Hospice. That was
important for us all, but when I joined YAG it surpassed what I was really
expecting. I was unsure, I didn’t know what to expect and I was very
nervous about going.
It has given me so much confidence in myself, which helped me through
my Ancient History and Archaeology degree. I am now going on to study
a masters in Egyptology. In terms of the future I want to continue to be
involved with helping bereaved young people in any way I can.
I want to become a volunteer or remain involved so that I can give back
to a place that gave me so much. I would recommend it to anyone I
could get my hands on.
I thought that I would just have to watch the DVD and if I wasn’t
comfortable then I would never have to go back. I have never been so
glad in my life that I went back.
There were so many positives to come from it. I made new friendships
and that just helped me through the grieving process. We talked a lot
which was important and probably what a lot of us needed. But it was
never awkward. We talked but we also had fun along the way and I now
have lifelong friends that I keep in touch with online and on Facebook.
It was very positive for me. I learned a lot about myself. Some of the
skills I acquired I might not have learned until later in life. Part of the
process was talking publicly. You didn’t have to. In fact it took me years
to actually build up the courage but now I have done loads of talks and
presentations in schools and to groups about what I’ve been through
and how YAG has helped.
26
RAINBOW MAKERS CASE STUDIES
DAMIAN DOYLE (YOUNG CRUSE VOLUNTEER)
I have been involved with Cruse Bereavement for some time through my
adult Cruse work. I’m also a part time youth worker so I have had the
experience of counselling and bereavement.
It was a natural passage then for me to move into Young Cruse to deliver
one-to-one bereavement support to children and young people. It’s a
challenging role at times but I think the results always make it worth
while. I’m not saying that I personally make a big difference but in the
majority of cases the results are very positive.
You can see a real change in the children and this reflects on the parents
too, who feel a sense of comfort that their child is able to open up and
deal with their grief. The support I receive in order to do an effective job
is excellent. That’s something that I really couldn’t complain about.
Young Cruse has more than met my expectations and I really am happy
to be part of it.
Young Cruse is always changing and moving with the times. It is a really
innovative place and this certainly helps myself and the other volunteers
to deliver a first class service for the young people. Being involved in
Young Cruse has positively impacted upon my life as well.
As a parent it has helped me with my own family but also I have learned
skills that I can adopt in my day to day work and in my role as a part time
youth worker. I would encourage anyone to get involved with Young
Cruse, be it as a client, volunteer or YAG member.
27
RAINBOW MAKERS CASE STUDIES
OLIVIA CULLENS (SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, CULCROW PRIMARY)
It was a very traumatic experience for our school that first connected us
with Young Cruse. We tragically lost a young teacher, who was knocked
down on March 1, 2012. As you can imagine, it was a very difficult
period for everyone at the school, particularly the children but also the
staff. It was one of our classroom assistants who suggested we ask Cruse
to come into the school. So I rang the Cruse office in Ballymoney and the
Coordinator there put us in touch with Lorraine, a Young Cruse volunteer
who came out to support us all.
It was a terrible time for everyone at the school but Lorraine came in
with Maurice, another Young Cruse volunteer, and they knew what to
say and do. They were a very calming influence and exactly what we, as
a school, needed. Lorraine and Maurice coming in was very beneficial
for the children, as they were able to speak to them on their level.
It was a tremendous comfort for the children and the volunteers’ ability
to connect with them meant the children responded to them and felt
comfortable asking questions. Having Young Cruse in the school was also
extremely beneficial to the staff. Lorraine spoke to the staff and myself,
which enabled us to relay support and guidance to the pupils. She also
gave us the tools to help us be a better resource for the children in
dealing with their grief. For example, we were able to identify the signs
to watch out for if an individual child was particularly finding the
traumatic experience hard to deal with.
The parents also benefitted from the expertise of Young Cruse.
Understandably the parents had concerns of their own but we were able
to pass on the contact details of Young Cruse to them and subsequently
they helped the parents. We could really see the difference that Young
Cruse, and the sessions they completed with the children, made.
Young Cruse certainly made a positive impact on their lives and their
ability to deal with their grief. The sessions were always sympathetic and
conducted in the right way. I think that was the real strength of the
support offered to us.
For us as teachers, we had so many questions. For instance we were
unsure as to what to say, how long do we speak to the children for and
when is the time to move on? Young Cruse helped to address these
issues. They gave us very good guidance in this respect in a confident
and professional manner which we all appreciated.
Furthermore, when their immediate work was completed that wasn’t
the end of it. Lorraine and Maurice outlined that they were always there
for continued support. Even their supervisor was in contact with me to
ensure everything was going smoothly. They left contact details so if we,
or any of the children needed them six months down the line then we
could easily get in touch.
28
RAINBOW MAKERS CASE STUDIES
LOUISE GRAY (PARENT)
Our family experience with Young Cruse began when my father in law
had a massive heart attack and died. My two kids happened to be
staying with him on that particular night. My 16-year-old daughter had
to give my father in law CPR while my 12-year-old daughter was also
there to witness the whole scene. It was a really traumatic experience
for them with my father in law eventually dying and the ambulance
arriving and taking him away.
I must say that everything about them was brilliant. Young Cruse took on
both of the girls. They allayed my fears. The 16-year-old had counselling
and the wee one had a great volunteer with whom she developed a
good friendship. She was able to talk about her experience and it was
amazing watching her change and develop. It was so positive for her.
I used to think that she was shy, but quickly people were telling me that
she was not shy whatsoever. This was a source of comfort to me; it
reinforced to me, as a parent, that I had done something right.
After the funeral I was looking for somebody from outside of the family
to talk to the girls. I wanted them to be able to talk to someone with no
pressure on them and without clamming up. I felt that if they spoke to
someone outside of the family they could express their inner fears and
feel free to talk openly.
The trauma of the experience will always be there but Young Cruse has
allowed the girls and us as a family to openly discuss it. We still cry
about it but we are comfortable talking about it together. We have come
to terms with it and now know that in 20 years’ time we won’t be saying
that we wished we had confronted our grief at the time.
The 16-year-old would talk about anything but my 12-year-old daughter
wouldn’t share. She had become quite introverted and I was afraid and
worried about her. I didn’t want her to bottle everything up. I also knew
that if we went to the doctors that we would have to sit in long queues
and potentially get fed a lot of rubbish.
My youngest daughter is now
involved with the Youth Advisory
Group at Cruse. She goes and meets
other young people and talks with
them about dealing with grief. She
even met someone from her school
there and it’s great that she can
share that experience. I’m so proud
of her. It’s amazing that a tragic event
has also changed our lives in positive
ways.
So one night I just went on to the internet and I noticed Cruse
Bereavement. Reading through the Young Cruse information I felt that
they could offer everything that I was looking for, for my kids. We live in
Ards and the Bangor Cruse site was convenient for us so I sent an email
and they got back to me. The relationship with Young Cruse just
developed from there.
Louise gets creative at Young Cruse party 29
RAINBOW MAKERS CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDIES RYAN MCCONE (YOUNG CLIENT)
I lost several people in my family and it was actually the hospital who
recommended Young Cruse to me. I had never heard of them before but
it was a difficult time in my life and I thought that I would give it a go. Of
course I was slightly nervous about it because I didn’t know anyone and I
didn’t really know what to expect. But everyone at Young Cruse was
really nice.
They talked to me and reassured me. They also listened to what I was
saying which was important for me. It was more than that though; I also
made some new friends who were going through similar experiences
and that helped me. We did some projects and made things like memory
jars, and it was really good. I enjoyed it.
If any of my friends or family lost a loved one I would tell them to go to
Young Cruse because they are there to help.
30
RAINBOW MAKERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THANK YOU
To all those who contributed to the “Rainbow Makers” Evaluation,
and to all the children and young people who have had the courage to turn
to Cruse for support in the last 5 years
Youth Advisory Group Members
Cruse Volunteers
Cruse Staff Members
Parents, Carers and Teachers
Robert Crowe, Copius Consulting
Seahill Media
The Big Lottery Fund
"Cruse in Northern Ireland has regarded it as a privilege to create these
rainbows in so many lives. This report highlights that resources, including the
support of a local community, can transform the lives of the next generation.“
Anne Townsend, Director, Cruse in NI
31
Printed by
Seahill Media
For more information contact:
Cruse Bereavement Care
www.cruse.org.uk
www.rd4u.org.uk
National Helpline Number: 0844 477 9400
Cruse NI Regional Office: 028 9079 2419
WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE TOMORROW’S VISION, TODAY
Registered charity: 208078, a company limited by guarantee: 00638709
Registered office: Unit 0.1, One Victoria Villas, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2GW
Published by Cruse Bereavement Care, ©2013