Sibling Support

Having a brother or sister who is seriously or terminally ill can be incredibly hard to deal with. It can feel like not everyone understands what you’re going through.

That’s why, Claire House offers emotional support to the families of babies, children and young adults who access our services.

This can be anything from one-to-one or group counselling, to fun days out where they can meet others in a similar situation.

Key Benefits of Sibling Support

Emotional support.
Building lasting friendships with other siblings in a similar situation.
Ongoing support.
Counselling.
Therapeutic techniques.
Days out and activities.
Sibling events.
Sibling Ambassador role

Sibling Events

Throughout the year, our Family Support team arranges different events that siblings can attend.

From working with siblings over the years, Claire House has found that just being with others like themselves helps to break down the barriers for the siblings we support. By attending events and arranging days out, siblings can talk to children or young adults of a similar age who can relate to their situation, regardless of where they are in their journey.

For some of the siblings we support, they may not be able to talk openly with their friends or feel uncomfortable sharing their feelings. By being around others who are either going through a similar situation or have been through it, they are able to create supportive bonds and lasting relationships.

"Coming to the sibling events has really helped me over the years. I have been able to build friendships with others in a similar situation and we can all relate to each other.”
Ruby, whose family have been supported by Claire House

See our sibling events

Sibling Therapeutic Sessions

For siblings whose brother or sister is nearing the end of life, Claire House offers access to our Palliative Care Activities and Family Support Worker. They will spend time with the sibling, building a relationship and providing tools to help manage their feelings and emotions.

This support aims to enable the sibling to develop emotional skills such as self-regulation so they have a toolkit of coping resources ready to draw upon during emotionally challenges times.

Sibling Connect & Counselling

With the number of siblings needing counselling support increasing, our team has introduced Sibling Connect – a wellbeing and psychoeducational support group.

Siblings finish the program with a wellness tool-box they can take home, complete with mental health resources from what they have learnt during the sessions.

The program has been found to be an effective way to boost children and young adult’s coping skills, resilience, and an opportunity to network and make friends.

This does not replace the direct therapeutic clinical support for those needing it. Our counselling team works closely with siblings, whether they are bereaved or their brother or sister still attends Claire House, providing a safe place for them to talk.