Newark College Students Support Children’s Bereavement Centre Through Meaningful Social Action Project

June has seen Newark and Southwell come to life with beautiful yellow and white daisies as part of the Children’s Bereavement Centre’s Daisy Appeal – a heartfelt campaign to raise awareness of the vital importance of understanding and supporting children and young people coping with the loss of a loved one.

The daisy, a powerful symbol of hope and remembrance, has been embraced across the community throughout the month. One of the most moving moments of the appeal took place on Wednesday 5th June 2025, when families gathered in the tranquil and sacred grounds of Southwell Minster for a special Daisy Remembrance Service. The event provided an opportunity for families to come together, reflect, and honour the memory of those they’ve lost, surrounded by compassion and community.

Local businesses, schools, and supporters have been proudly donning yellow and white in solidarity with the cause, helping to spark conversations about childhood bereavement and show that no child has to grieve alone.

A particularly inspiring contribution came from students at Newark College who have lovingly restored the colourful community benches on Stodman Street and Riverside Park.  An exciting collaboration between two courses working to develop their skills learnt in the classroom and bringing them to life. Multi-Skills took on the task to dis-assemble and sand the benches and then paint the base coat, before handing over to the Art & Design students who used their artistic flair to create these beautiful 'Daisy' images. We hope the benches bring comfort to those who may be grieving, offering a quiet space for reflection and hope.

As part of the Daisy Appeal, the charity has also launched a beautiful online Memory Meadow – a virtual space where people can dedicate a daisy in memory of a loved one. Each dedication helps support the charity’s work and creates a lasting tribute to those who are deeply missed. You can visit the meadow and leave a dedication here.

The Daisy Appeal not only raises essential funds for the Centre’s work but also encourages open conversations around grief – a topic still often met with silence. With over one in 29 children in the UK experiencing the death of a parent or sibling before the age of 16, initiatives like this are a lifeline for many.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre, based in Newark, provides free, specialist support to children, young people, and their families following the devastating loss of someone close. This community-led appeal reflects the charity’s compassionate mission – to ensure no child is left to grieve alone.

For more information about the Daisy Appeal or how to support the Children’s Bereavement Centre click here.

For more information on Newark College campus click here, to apply to study with us find the perfect course for you on our School Leavers page.