Special Christmas boxes are being distributed across Monmouthshire to support families who have lost loved ones this year. It’s one of many offerings of support by Monmouthshire County Council’s Building Strong Families team, who have been there for local families throughout the pandemic.

The boxes have been created as an alternative to the annual ‘remembering group’, which has been unable to go ahead face to face this year due to COVID-19. As a solution, the team have made and posted dozens of Christmas boxes for local families to provide people with an opportunity to come together and take part in activities that help them to remember their loved ones.

The Christmas boxes have been created and delivered by the Therapeutic Services team which includes counsellors, therapists and family support workers who are  there for everyone during difficult times. The boxes include baubles that can be made up and hung on the Christmas tree in memory of a loved one. The boxes can also be used afterwards as a special place for young people to store their memories in the future. 

Cllr Penny Jones, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health said: “I would like to send my thoughts to everyone who is missing someone they love this year. Grief is heartbreaking at any time of year but particularly hard at Christmas, it can be difficult to know how to manage loss and grief at a time that’s about family and being together. It is so sad that we haven’t been able to meet our families in person at Caldicot Castle this year, but I am so proud of all the work that Monmouthshire’s Building Strong families team have done to provide help in a different way by posting Christmas boxes to local families. Stay safe.”

Anyone in need of help can contact the Building Strong Families team advice line between 10am and 3pm 01633 644152 / 07970166975, or email earlyhelppanel@monmouthshire.gov.uk