New research from Scotty’s, the military bereavement charity, drawing on the experiences of more than 250 bereaved military children and their families, highlights the vital role extracurricular activities can play in helping children cope with grief – while also revealing the barriers that can prevent them from taking part.
The research captures the experiences of families supported by Scotty’s and explores how activities such as sports clubs, music, cadets and other hobbies can help children rebuild confidence, develop friendships and find moments of normality following bereavement.
Key findings
The research found that extracurricular activities can play a vital role in helping children cope after bereavement:
- 52% of families said participating in activities helped their child cope with grief
- 35% said activities helped children build friendships and a supportive community
- 24% reported improvements to their child’s mental health and wellbeing
- 24% said activities helped children feel connected to the parent who died
However, bereaved military children were less likely to attend extracurricular activities than their peers, with 64% participating regularly compared with around 76% nationally.
The report also identified several barriers preventing children from taking part:
- Cost: 39% of families said they could not afford the activities their child wanted to do
- Time and logistics: 24% struggled to manage transport, childcare and work commitments as a single parent household
- Emotional barriers: some children found socialising difficult after bereavement
- Additional needs: children with SEND were significantly less likely to participate in activities
- Stopping after the death: nearly 1 in 10 children stopped extracurricular activities following the bereavement
One parent responding to the survey described the positive impact activities had on their children:
“Sport literally got my kids through the worst time of their lives, it gave them a positive to focus their energy on, a reason to keep fighting and friends to help them along the way.”
To help remove financial barriers, Scotty’s provides practical support through the Scotty Allowance, an annual grant of £150 per member which families can use to contribute towards the cost of extracurricular activities such as sports clubs, music lessons or school trips.
This year, Scotty’s STRIDES Programme will be working with bereaved military families to help them understand the potential benefits of extracurricular activities in managing grief, as well as working with schools and providers to remove barriers for bereaved military families.
The full report can be read here: https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/extracurricular-activities
Founded in 2010 by Army widow Nikki Scott after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity began as Scotty’s Little Soldiers supporting bereaved British Forces children and young people. Children remain at the heart of the charity, but Scotty’s is now preparing to extend support to anyone impacted by a military-connected bereavement – whether the person who died was serving or a veteran and regardless of relationship or cause of death.
For over 15 years, Scotty’s has combined lived experience with professional expertise to support thousands of bereaved British Forces family members and ensure their needs are recognised. Scotty’s ambition is to empower a community of more than 25,000 bereaved people by 2035.
