Setting up a support group for children and their well carers who have a significant adult with a life-threatening illness.

St Richard's Hospice provides care and support for adults with a life-threatening illness and their families. Children and adolescents who are facing the loss of a significant adult are often encountered as part of its work. Whereas in the past children and young people have been supported primarily through one-to-one interactions after the adult has died, the expansion of the hospice's facilities has recently enabled it to provide an increasing amount of pre-death support, including the launch of a pre-death child and family support group. This article reflects on the benefits and challenges of setting up and running such a group and the journey the hospice has gone through so far. It is hoped that by sharing experiences, some of the benefits of group work for children and adolescents facing the loss of a significant adult can be demonstrated, and that others in the worldwide palliative care community who are considering running or are already providing such a service will be encouraged.