High Sheriff learns how Blackadder star has helped a Sussex charity
raise awareness and address the stigma so young people who have not yet encountered death in their lives can develop life skills to support their friends and others who are bereaved, as well as prepare themselves for the future.
Importantly, it is hoped the programme will help reduce the development of mental health issues and complications by opening up discussion, giving teenagers the opportunity to talk and letting them know where to find help if they need it.
Louise and Annabelle were overjoyed when Sir Tony Robinson, of Blackadder fame, very willingly gave up his time to narrate the story Eileen, written by Louise.
Sir Tony says: “Project Eileen couldn’t have come at a better time. I think it’s really important that, regardless of age, we should all discuss death and its ramifications.
“With the Covid-19 situation thrown on us, Project Eileen’s work can help young people and their communities tackle the topics of death and grief more openly. I’m delighted to have played a part in the creation of the resources for this great charity.”
This pioneering programme is aimed at 13 to 15-years-olds and available to all secondary state and independent schools with two versions to choose from, Recorded or Do-ItYourself.
Recently, I was given the opportunity to watch the first lesson of the Recorded version that includes an outstanding animated film, with original music, which tells the story of a group of teenagers and how they and their school community deal with the death of a friend.
The DIY version offers schools the script and musical scores to use, together with an interactive version of the animated video, so the first lesson can be presented by the students themselves.
Developed by Annabelle, five follow-up lessons reference the story and cover the language of death and grief; historical, cultural and religious differences in the way we talk about death; the grieving process – why we grieve and ways to handle it; funerals and what needs to be done when someone dies; and anticipated loss and the importance of being able to talk about death.
Imberhorne School in East Grinstead was the first school to use the programme.
Head teacher Martin Brown said: “Project Eileen provides a really accessible way into discussing the emotive topic of death. It is, quite understandably, a subject people of all ages struggle to deal with.
“Project Eileen seeks to unpick the feelings one may experience when encountering bereavement, either directly or indirectly, equipping us with the language and understanding that helps build a heathy and balanced perspective.”
At this extraordinary time, a high-quality programme that supports young people to be prepared for, and cope with, the challenges of bereavement is to be welcomed and I trust the programme will be used widely across our schools in West Sussex.
For more information or to register to use the programme please visit the website at https://www.projecteileen. co.uk/
Thanks to generous donations, the programme is free but the charity encourages schools to raise funds to support the charity and is most grateful to businesses and kind individuals who continue to donate.