A TOWERING sunflower, a scene of Annecy in France, and a heart full of magazine cutouts. These are just some of the pieces of art created by bereaved children working through their grief.
The Yo-Yo Project at Farleigh Hospice opened up its gallery on September 10, displaying work created by 15 children and young people who have suffered loss, and who have used art as a means of coping with the experience.
With every single piece packing an emotional punch, family and friends gathered at the hospice on North Court Road to share, admire, and talk about the significance of the artwork.
"There was a sunflower in the garden that was taller than me and daddy even when I sat on his shoulders. It was his favourite flower, which is what my painting is about," said seven-year-old Stephanie Hawkins, who lost her father Pip to cancer in July 2011.
"I like the picture and I think daddy would like it too, I also drew Rosie the Robin who lives in our garden."
Mum Lesley believes the project, which works with people from the age of four up until 18, has been crucial at a time when the young girl from Burnham-on-Crouch is still coming to terms with her loss.
"I think it has helped, she was struggling a little bit and growing older so she had more and more questions that needed answering," said Lesley, who alongside her daughter will be the face of Farleigh's 2013 Light up a Life campaign, where people light a candle in memory of a loved one.
For sisters Chloe and Leah Bolton, whose mother Teresa died suddenly at her Witham home at just 35, the freedom to express themselves was highly cathartic.
"The project helped as we could write or draw anything we wanted about mum, we could open up about her and talk as much as we liked," said Chloe, 14.
"Everything in my picture represents something about my mum," added 16-year-old Leah May, who points to a vibrant collage of magazine cut-outs, formed in the shape of a heart. "She was bubbly, she loved roller-blading, wearing denim jackets, and she fancied policemen and Peter Andre, which I do too."
Many of the pieces, which will be displayed at the Chelmsford hospice until October 31, create a memento to the happiest of memories of lost siblings, parents or grandparents.
Brothers Ewan and William Ferguson both recreated the yearly trips to Annecy that their father William loved so much in their paintings.
And while 12-year-old Grace Rutland captures her father David's love of Chelsea football club, her brother Sonny, 11, celebrates his weakness for spicy Nando's chicken.
But others are far darker and provide an insight into the internal turmoil of a bereaved child, with one depicting a house that resembles a skeleton, and another showing a black home, with blackened windows.
"It's a chance for them to express their feelings through the piece of art, they can create a memory they can hold in their hands," explained counsellor Peggy Hart.
"We tailor our approach on the project to each child, some won't want to talk but they can create something memorable."
Bereavement services team leader Mark Cobbin added: "The children and young people who utilise Farleigh Hospice's Yo-Yo Project are currently coping with some very difficult and emotional circumstances, which obviously result in them creating some emotional and very personal work.
"Each piece of work has an association to someone significant in their lives who is either seriously ill, or deceased.
"It's great to have this opportunity for the children, and members of their families, to get together to share and discuss their work, along with everyone else's.
"Feedback in previous years has indicated that the families really get a lot out of the afternoon, both in terms of enjoyment and support."
Over the past year the Yo-Yo Project and Circle adult bereavement support service provided 1,287 one-to-one sessions, completely free of charge, to help support local pre and post bereaved children, young people and adults.
The two teams also had a total of 776 new people referred to their services.
If you would like to make a referral or get some advice about the service, call 01245 457300 or e-mail yoyoproject@farleigh hospice.org
