Welcome
Welcome to Brighter Grays, sponsored by Route 62 Bikers 2023-24! We are a peer support group, run for children up to the age of 19 and their families, who have lost a parent/close relative. We meet every two weeks and our groups consist of lots of fun activities as well as group discussions. Our groups have no criteria to join, you don't have to have lost someone in a certain way, or live in a certain area. It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, what your background is. Everyone is welcome. There is no waiting list, and the groups are completely optional. You could come one session, skip one, and then come again. Click here for our Just Giving Link.
About Us
Our main aim for Brighter Gray's is to be a safe place for children and their families who are suffering the loss of someone close to them. We are not councillors, but we do have experience in which we can share with you and offer advice on where to turn for help. Listening and talking to others in the group will also be a large part of our sessions, as everyone will have varied experiences, and we can all learn from one another.
We have four house rules. These house rules express who we are and what we do!
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no judgement
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all feelings are valid
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don't speak to someone wearing a red lanyard
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it's still ok to have fun.
Meet Our Amazing Team
Amy
Hi there, I am the founder of Brighter Gray's. You will see me present at all the fundraising events, and support groups we run. I look forward to forming strong connections through the course of our time together, even though it's through hardships, we can help eachother through. Grief is a difficult journey for anyone, let alone a child. I have first hand experience in having a child that has suffered a significant loss. My daughter Lacie is the reason I felt so strongly about setting up Brighter Gray's. She sadly lost her Dad in 2021 and I have found that support for grieving children is few and far between. When you do come across support, it's either very short lived, too far away or there is a waiting list. The groups will be a place for Lacie and other children to understand they aren't alone as well as a place for their families to share their experiences and discuss any worries.
Kerry
Hi, I'm Kerry, the proud Co-Founder of Brighter Gray's.
I lost my step-dad in 2020, whilst I was pregnant with my daughter. He was the best dad to me that I could ask for, he never once treat me like anything other than a princess, and despite only meeting me as a teenager, "step" never came into it. He was my dad.
Losing him was the hardest thing I have gone through in my life. As an adult going through that pain was unbearable and I just couldn't imagine a child having to come to terms with such a huge loss.
When Amy first spoke to me about starting up Brighter Gray's I was on board immediately. I think it is such an amazing idea, having group support from people who are going through the same hardships as eachother.
Brighter Gray's is a support group that is very much needed, and it will always be a fun, safe space to be open without any judgment.
Lacie
Lacie is very excited to be apart of Brighter Gray's. When I first spoke to Lacie about it she wanted the groups to start straight away. She has told me she's looking forward to meeting new people, and being with other children that have gone through loss and understand those difficult feelings. Lacie also asked if she was going to be the boss! Lacie says "Hi my name is Lacie. My daddy died when I was 6 and I miss him lots. I'm excited for the groups to start and meet everyone. I will be helping my Mum and Kerry get things ready. We will get to do lots of things at the groups like painting and drawing".
Previous Events
We are a self funded organisaiton, and we rely on donations and fundraising from events to fund our amazing activites and support our fantastic cause. Have a look at some of the amazing success we have had so far from our fundraisers!
Upcoming Events
Have a look at events we have upcoming, hopefully see you there!
Get ready for a hair-raising adventure at our spine-chilling Halloween event. On Saturday, October 28, 2023,1, we invite you to embrace the frights and delights of our eerie maze. Located at The Cross Keys Pub, 283 Halifax Road, Liversedge, WF15 6NE, our haunted maze promises to be a thrilling experience for all ages. Prepare to be captivated by the ghoulish atmosphere, as you navigate through dark corners and encounter spooky surprises at every turn.
Whether you're a fearless thrill-seeker or a timid trick-or-treater, our Spooktacular Halloween Maze guarantees an unforgettable time. Bring your friends and family to join in the fun! Don't forget to wear your most frightful costumes, as there will be prizes for the most creative and spookiest outfits. Capture the memories with the photo booth props and indulge in delicious treats from our food stalls. There's party games included and even more fun to be had on our game stalls! Think you can spin the wheel and land on a treat? Or will you be in for a trick?
The event is split into three sessions of scare factors. Children's session begins at 1.30pm till 3.30pm.
Older children/teen session is 4pm til 6pm with a little more Boo thrown in!
Teen/adult session (16 years +) is from 6.30pm til 8pm and is sure to scare even the most self confessed thrill seekers!
So mark your calendars and prepare for a night of thrills and chills at the Spooktacular Halloween Maze! We can't wait to see you there!
Tickets include: Maze entry - Scavenger hunt - Party games - Hotdog - Burger - Candy Floss - Popcorn
16th December from 3pm "Bring Santa to Roberttown" at Roberttown community centre.
Route 62 bikers will be hosting this event with 50% of profits going to Brighter Gray's. Amy and Kerry will be attending with face painting!
More info & tickets coming soon!
2nd February "Time to Talk day - Family Networking event" Hosted by YCC and Brighter Gray's at Ponderosa Zoo, Lakeside restaurant.
Lots of information stalls for parents and families to see what support is available in the local area. Whether it be support with physical health, mental health, cost of living, bereavement, social groups and much much more.
Groups and organisations will have the chance to do a spotlight speech on who they are and what services/support they offer.
There will even be free tea and coffee as well as free entry into Ponderosa!
Join In With Us
Have a look at events we have upcoming, hopefully see you there!
️At the moment, our groups take place every 2 weeks, 1:00pm - 2:30/3pm. They are held at Kip McGrath Education Centre, Heckmondwike.
Our groups have no criteria to join, you don't have to have lost someone in a certain way, or live in a certain area It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, what your background is. Everyone is welcome. There is no waiting list, and the groups are completely optional. You could come one session, skip one, and then come again.
What Happens In Our Groups?
We always do a fun little activity to start with, to get everyone feeling a bit more comfortable and relaxed. These have included throwing beanbags, quickfire quiz questions and mad libs. We do group activities and individual journaling. These can be focused around grief and different emotions, but also just some nice easy activities for the children to have a bit of fun! One thing that never changes is the free tea, coffee, juice and biscuits!
On your first visit to a Brighter Gray's session, your child will receive a welcome pack. It's filled with lots of things that we use in the groups. One of them is a small wooden heart. This is for your child to write the initials of their close relative who has passed away and this then goes in our very own memory box. The memory box comes out at every group session so all the children have their own special person with them. Another item in the welcome packs is a red lanyard. We know starting a new thing can be scary. If your child is feeling sad, nervous or is just having a bad day and doesn't want to talk, they can just pop this on and we won't speak to them directly. They are still welcome to join in with the activities but they can sit back and just listen
Get in Touch
