Wealden Crematorium donate money to Jigsaw South East

Jigsaw South East, a death support service for children and young people has been presented with a £10,000 cheque from Wealden Crematorium.

The charity’s main aim is to help young people understand and cope with the complex emotions around bereavement, and to support the families. The services offer age-appropriate support, understanding, and shared experiences making grief easier to navigate.

The main services they provide include a free helpline, tailored grief support through one-to-one sessions, group activities, and social events, and assistance for families facing the anticipated death of a loved one.

The donation has been made possible through membership of the ICCM metals recycling scheme. This initiative means that any metals remaining after cremation can be recycled and reused with permission of the bereaved families. The money generated is shared between member crematoriums to support their chosen local charities.

The Wealden Crematorium, owned by Wealden District Council is proud to be able to give the donation to another community focused charity in the East Sussex area. Previous charities which have received a donation from the crematorium’s ICCM scheme are: You Raise Me Up in Polegate in 2022, Chestnut Tree House in 2023, and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Sussex Surrey in 2024.

 Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said, “A donation of £10,000 to this well deserving community-focused charity is more than a financial contribution. This donation will go towards providing vital services to children and young people dealing with the loss of a loved one. With guidance, compassionate support, and a safe space for young people to navigate their grief, rebuild their confidence, and move forward. This money is a gesture to the charity for all their hard work they give back across Sussex.”

Freddie St. George MBE, Jigsaw South East’s grants and business partnership manager, said, “The £10,000 received from Wealden Crematorium represents an enormous opportunity for us to enhance our grief support workshops and build on our work supporting over 1,100 children and young people each year. The funding will help expand workshop capacity, frequency and improve resources and materials whilst ensuring more timely, accessible group support for children and young people coping with bereavement.”

For more information about Jigsaw South East, visit: https://www.jigsawsoutheast.org.uk/event/south-coast-ultra-challenge/