Our Squads

What are the squads?

We want the children who come to Alfie’s Squad to feel less isolated and improve their self worth. By being in a group of children who have gone through the same or similar experiences, we know they will find strength from each other, and will form strong, lasting bonds. Our support group for children is all about the children enjoying themselves. Alfie’s vision is that no child will grow up feeling isolated after being bereaved by suicide.

Please note: We don’t just help children who have lost a parent. It can be any family member or friend. If your child has been affected in some way, then please get in touch with us. Our support groups are by referral only. If you know of a child who has been bereaved by suicide, or self-inflicted death, please find out more about making a referral.

Activities

Alfie’s Squad peer support group for children bereaved by suicide runs weekly and are for children and young people between the ages of 6-17. Our sessions are held in the Baltic Triangle area in Liverpool on Thursdays, from 6-8pm. Please note that this is not a walk-in service. Anyone attending must have come through our referral system first.

As well as being around other children, Alfie’s Squad provides a range of fun and engaging activities, including games and arts and crafts nights. The team also plan in additional sessions such as circus skills, graffiti workshops, DJ skills, podcasting, giant games night, Brazilian drumming, various sports and more.

Alfie and the other young people have helped shape what takes place within the support group. Please note that this isn’t a counselling group. However, if you decide that your child/young person would benefit from counselling sessions, we can help you access the correct services.

The main aims of Alfie’s Squad is to reduce social isolation and improve self-worth in children and young people who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Adult support group

We also have a suicide bereavement support group for the grownups which is held at the same time, so the older ones get a chance to also make connections over a brew.

While there is support already available for adults who have been bereaved by suicide, it can often be difficult for parents or carers to attend as they are often evening sessions and in the city centre. in addition, any parent who has lost a family member to suicide will know that the worst time for a bereaved child is bedtime.

We want to be able to provide a safe space for the adults to meet, and the support group will be in the same building as where the children will be and is run by Alfie’s mum, Allison. This isn’t a counselling group; it is somewhere where we can have a brew and a piece of cake, and just have a chat. You won’t be asked to tell everyone your story, but we are there if you need to talk.

Should I refer my child?

We would also welcome parents or carers who are undecided about referring their child, so they can come and find out more about the children’s group.

We know, from personal experience, that telling a child that their loved one has died by suicide, is the most difficult thing you can ever do, and some may have put this off due to fear. This is completely understandable. If this is the case, we would suggest you come along to our adults group and speak to us so we can maybe help and support you in the best way to explain to your child.

For more information about the adults group, or to refer yourself to it, please visit our contact page or send an email to info@alfiessquad.org.

What are the squads?

Activities

Adult support group

Should I refer my child?