Young people will be delving into the difficult topic of death and dying as part of ‘Dear Death’, a new youth-led project being run by Young Scot and the Scottish Government with assistance from the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

‘Dear Death’ will see groups of young people across Scotland working with Young Scot to discuss how they relate to, talk about death and the impact bereavement has upon their lives.

Insights from the young people will provide a better understanding of how Scotland can encourage young people to talk about death. It will also identify possible ways to better support young people when they are facing or coming to terms with a bereavement.

Young Scot will deliver co-design workshops with young people to explore the issues surrounding death and help develop an understanding of the support needed to guide and assist communities across Scotland.  The participants will explore ways to improve bereavement support services and provide ideas to improve conversations about death and dying with young people

Over 245 young people have already taken part in Young Scot’s initial research activity, where young people across the country wrote a letter titled ‘Dear Death’, which has given Young Scot a valuable insight into young people’s perception and experiences of death.

Community Safety Minister, Annabelle Ewing, said: “This is an innovative project which will support young people to explore these difficult issues and get involved in how bereavement support is offered to young people.”

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “Experiencing death and bereavement can be traumatic and life changing at any age. It’s essential that young people feel they can have conversations about death which help them make meaning when this becomes part of their lives.”