Penhaligon’s Friends asks Cornwall to turn its clothes inside out

A jumper with its seams showing. A T-shirt with the label sticking out at the side. Later this month, those small wardrobe mishaps will be deliberate, and they will mean something.

People across Cornwall are being invited to wear an item of clothing inside out during Children’s Grief Awareness Week, in support of Penhaligon’s Friends, which supports bereaved children and young people up to the age of 18.

What is Inside Out Day?

The charity’s first Inside Out Day runs from Monday 16 November to Saturday 21 November. Organisations, school settings and individuals can choose any day within that week to take part.

The idea is simple. When a child experiences the death of a parent, sibling or someone close, their world is turned upside down, and what they show on the outside can be very different from what they are feeling on the inside.

Wearing something inside out is a way for pupils, staff and anyone else to remind everyone that it’s okay to show how they feel.

📷Credit: Penhaligon's Friends

Why now

Megan Price, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator at Penhaligon’s Friends, said: “From this year, the UK Government has introduced death, dying and bereavement education into the national curriculum.

“With around one child in every classroom sadly having experienced the death of a parent or sibling, we feel this is an important time to launch this campaign and encourage schools to get involved.”

Last year the charity supported 1,304 children and young people through a range of support services. It also supported many more within 15 schools following critical incidents, such as the death of a student or staff member.

How to take part

Penhaligon’s Friends is asking people who join in to donate £1 each to help fund its support services, though raising awareness of its work is the main aim.

Megan added: “We would like to build on this initiative year on year and encourage schools to add it to their diaries for the future to help us make a lasting impact.

“We hope it’ll be a visual opportunity to show families that support is there when they need it and in a way that’s right for them.”

Childcare settings, businesses and other organisations that want to take part can contact the charity at [email protected]. There is more detail on the Inside Out Day campaign page.

A rise in demand

As the only dedicated childhood bereavement charity in Cornwall, Penhaligon’s Friends relies on donations to keep all of its support free for families, schools and communities.

Its recently published Impact Report shows an 18% rise in the support it provided to bereaved children and young people across the county compared with the previous year.

Information on how to get support from the charity is on the Penhaligon’s Friends website.

📷Credit: Penhaligon's Friends