Spotlight on...the Zig Zag Children’s Service
The Covid-19 pandemic has put a huge strain on many young people who were already struggling with their mental health, because of traumatic experiences, social isolation, a loss of routine and a breakdown in formal and informal support.
During mental health awareness week 2021, we are spotlighting services that are desperately needed across the country.
The Zig Zag Children's Service is a specialist bereavement counselling service forming part of the Psychological Support Service at Whipps Cross Hospital's Margaret Centre – and covering the whole Borough of Waltham Forest.
Established in 1991, Zig Zag is run by play therapists and helps children work through, and make sense of, their experiences related to life-limiting illness and/or bereavement.
Zig Zag accepts referrals of children aged 3-12 in Waltham Forest with pre- and post-bereavement difficulties. This would include children with a life-limiting illness themselves or those with a family member with a life-limiting illness, as well as those who have been bereaved. Children can be referred to Zig Zag by health visitors, family doctors, schools and other professionals/agencies.
I have been working as a therapist for Zig Zag Children’s Service for 17 years and am passionate about what my colleagues and I do – as we rebuild a child’s/family’s resilience following a significant bereavement, which sets them onto the road of recovery and hope.
Gesine Miller
Lead Therapist, Zig Zag Children’s Service
Zig Zag is also part of integrated childrens' services in Waltham Forest. Being part of integrated services means Zig Zag can work alongside colleagues to offer support and interventions when needed, supporting children and young people who are experiencing emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties at every stage of their journey.
Read more
- South Grove Primary School knitting club donates a hand-knitted blanket to the Zig Zag children's service.
- Time to Change Waltham Forest is a local network of champions, people with work or lived experience of mental health, who organise a number of events and activities for the general public to encourage meaningful conversations that help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.