Support our Tree of Hope and Bereavement Service

Story

My name is Cath Darling and I'm trying to raise £6,000 to support the installation of our Trees of Hope Sycamore Gap sapling (provided by the National Trust) and enable continued delivery of my nature-based bereavement support provision in North Tyneside. As an Occupational Therapist I have over 20 years experience of working in NHS healthcare services. For the last 10 of those I have worked with loss, end of life, and bereavement support. I am additionally specifically trained to deliver bereavement support to children. I now provide a therapeutic service outdoors, directly in connection with nature, combining my passion for nature and herbalism with my knowledge and experience of clinically and therapeutically supporting others. Sycamore Gap sapling - Tree of Hope In late 2024 my ‘Garden for Grief’ adult bereavement project was awarded one of the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings from the National Trust, propagated from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree after it was illegally felled in 2023. A steering group, made up of ‘Garden for Grief’ project participants, has been working alongside North Tyneside Council to establish a fitting public site in the coastal area to plant the sapling once it is sufficiently mature, hopefully in late 2025. This site will serve as a symbol of life after loss. Custodianship of this unique tree comes with financial implications, and whilst we are grateful for the donation of a wooden bench from North Tyneside Council, our steering group requires additional funds to facilitate the following: An information board for the site of the sapling which will provide a background to the Sycamore Gap tree and an outline of the Trees of Hope campaign. Development of an oral history archive in collaboration with Remembering the Past which will capture the stories of those involved. A family celebration and planting event at the chosen site in autumn 2025. Sustaining a bereavement service Additional monies will be allocated to the provision of further nature-based bereavement support delivery for adults and children - enabling access to this service at no cost to participants. Over the past year I have engaged with around 25-30 adults and children, delivering over 200 hours of support to those experiencing loss after the death of a family member or loved one. Thanks to support from The National Lottery Community Fund and The Wildside forest school, sessions have been free of charge to access. It is essential that some bereavement support can be provided at no cost to individuals. Access to healthcare support should not be limited to those who can afford to pay for it, and certainly statistically children living in lower socioeconomic communities are significantly more likely to experience the death of a sibling or parent - yet are also significantly less likely to be able to access specialist support. Financial status should not be a barrier to essential mental health and emotional support. Meeting the target of £6,000 will ensure a fitting acknowledgment of the Sycamore Gap legacy for North Tyneside. In addition it will enable the continuation of services to meet the bereavement needs of adults and children across the North East at no cost to individuals themselves, for the duration of 2026. Thank you for your support.