Plymouth Tragedy and Jeremiah’s Journey

After the trauma of the Keyham tragedy, we were available to families the next day, both in the drop-in centres and in the local community.  We met with children and families to listen to their fears and give them advice about what to do and what to expect following this distress and shock.  In the following weeks and months, we were available locally, as well as to call families and listen to their needs.

We met with local organisations and became part of a coordinated response, meeting regularly to share what we were doing and what else was being offered.  We went on to talk to many families in person or on the phone and went on to work with individuals and whole families by themselves or in groups.  It is a memory that stays with the community and we acknowledge that, continuing to offer our service to those affected.

We are open to accept referrals for children and young people who have been bereaved. Referrals can come from parents, carers or professionals via the helpline or can be emailed to info@jeremiahsjourney.org.uk. Please click the ‘Make a Referral’ button at the top of this page, to download a referral form.

Please get in touch, no worry is too big or small and we will do our best to help.

There is lots of further support and information available through various organisations across the city. To find out more please visit the Plymouth Together Website.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are both national charities who run helplines you can contact and have supportive resources on their websites, including information about explaining homicide to children and young people and supporting them. There is a book about supporting a child bereaved through murder or manslaughter called ‘Hope Beyond the Headlines’ which can be purchased here. For information in other languages, you can find free multilingual downloads to help communities in the wake of tragic events here.

Evidence shows that accessing support early can be helpful for both adults and children who have experienced trauma. Free support can be accessed via the Trauma Response Network, a national organisation set up to offer free EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy) – an evidenced based trauma therapy to people affected by mass trauma. To access this free support please click here. Instruction videos on traumatic stress relief techniques for children and families can also be found here.

Victims Support are also offering support to families impacted. To access, please call 0808 168 9111.