Simon Says Child Bereavement Support

24/09/2026

Congratulations to Elson and Gomer Infant Schools on becoming Simon Says Champion Schools!

We are delighted to welcome these two wonderful schools to our growing Champion Schools Network.

Through their commitment to supporting bereaved children and families, the Federation has undertaken whole-staff bereavement training, established dedicated bereavement teams in both schools, and created bereavement support packs and policies that have been shared with their wider community.

A particularly special moment was their community event, where families came together to learn about the support available and decorate memory pebbles that will form a meaningful memory space within the schools. One parent shared:

"I am so glad that you are able to offer this support, I wish I had been able to have access to this when I was a child."

The school notes: We know that this work will support our existing attachment and trauma understanding and will contribute to better emotional wellbeing outcomes for bereaved children and increased confidence among our staff in supporting families through grief and loss.

Well done to everyone involved in this fantastic achievement.

Elson Infant School
Gomer Infant School



[Image description: Four photographs. 1. Three of the team from Elson Infant School stood outside in front of a dense hedge. They are holding their Champion School framed certificate. 2. Two of the team from Elson Infant School holding their framed certificate. They are stood in a classroom in front of a bulletin board with colourful decorations including rockets and stars. 3. Four of the team from Gomer Infant School holding their framed certificate. They are stood outside in front of a brick wall. Behind them is a mural depicting a rocket ship blasting off into a blue sky adorned with stars and clouds. 4. Close up of the framed Gomer Infant Champion School certificate. It has a light blue background that depicts a sky with clouds and the sun and a green grassy field at the bottom. At the top left, a string of colorful triangular flags in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple is shown. Next to the flags is our Simon Says hot air balloon logo.]

23/09/2026

We are so fortunate to have the most amazing Simon Says fundraisers.

Next month, Rick Smart and his daughter Emily will run the River Thames Half Marathon to raise vital funds for our charity.

To donate to Rick’s fundraiser and help us to ensure that bereaved children and young people in Hampshire have support when they need it most, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/badgersmart?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Thank you. ♥️

River Thames Half Marathon

[Image description. Dark blue background. Quote from Rick reads “I am so proud of my daughter Emily who volunteers for this amazing charity. She has inspired me to get moving and raise money to help Simon Says continue their amazing support for young people in Hampshire"]

22/09/2026

10 days left until our BIGGEST Game of Simon Says!!

Are you in?

Sign up here:

https://www.simonsays.org.uk/biggest-game-of-simon-says/

[Image description: Closed caption video. Katie is talking direct to the camera. She is stood in a studio. Behind her, the scene is set up for filming with two large softbox lighting fixtures prominently placed. She uses her hands to gesture as she is speaking. Katie is wearing a light coloured t-shirt under a dark blue pinafore dress adorned with a pattern of rainbows.]

21/09/2026

Thank you That's TV Hampshire 💙

To sign up please visit:

https://www.simonsays.org.uk/biggest-game-of-simon-says/

20/09/2026

Our good friends at Chad’s Foundation are holding an unforgettable evening at Chelsea Theatre to honour Chad Alexander's enduring spirit and showcase incredible local talent.

Chad's Foundation is a non profit fundraising platform launched in 2022 after the passing of Chad Alexander Leon Solomon, a DJ and Educator, originally from Chelsea, who lived in Basingstoke.

100% of the event proceeds will directly support two vital causes deeply connected to Chad's legacy and family. Simon Says, and the amazing Ricky Casey Trust, a charity dedicated to advancing knowledge, education and research into RMC and rare renal cancers, and to support the families affected by them.

A huge thank you to Chad's incredible mum, Miss Pat for all that you do for our charity.

The Ricky Casey Trust
Chelsea Theatre

[Image description: Poster for the Chad Alexander Showcase on Saturday 26th September at 7pm. The dominant element is a photograph of Chad. He is smiling widely at the camera, his expression is one of enthusiasm and excitement. He is wearing a dark green hooded jacket. The background features an image of a turntable in shades of red, purple, and black. Text reads “Live Music. DJ Sets. Rap Cypher. Comedy. Competitions. Good Vibes and More. Chelsea Theater, 7 World's End Passage, SW10 0DR.”]

18/09/2026

Today is Youth Mental Health Day. It brings together young people, schools, families, professionals and organisations across the UK to focus on helping young people thrive.

The theme this year is ‘Build Future You.’

The future can feel exciting, uncertain or even overwhelming. You don't need to have everything figured out. Building a positive future is about the small steps you can take today from looking after your wellbeing, exploring what matters to you, asking for support and making space for the things that make you feel good.

stem4





[Image description: Saffron yellow coloured slide. Quote reads “Whilst we can't take away the pain of bereavement, with appropriate support and information, children and young people can be helped to understand what has happened and gradually encouraged to rebuild their lives and have hope for the future.”]

17/09/2026

As part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations, we are inviting schools, nurseries, colleges, businesses, community groups and families across Hampshire to join us by taking part in The Biggest Game of Simon Says!

Read our interview with the Hampshire Chronicle to find out more.

To sign up please visit:

https://www.simonsays.org.uk/biggest-game-of-simon-says/



Hampshire Chronicle

[Image description: Thumbnail for “Children to take part in biggest game of Simon Says for Romsey charity” news article. The accompanying photograph shows a young child running across a field carrying a red balloon. Other children are pictured in the background.]

On Friday, October 2, 2026, pupils and young people across the county will take part in The Biggest Game of Simon Says.

15/09/2026

On Sunday, we spent the day at Elson Infant School filming!

We've made a video that will be used by schools and families across Hampshire when they take part in the 'Biggest Game of Simon Says' on Friday 2nd October.

If you've not signed up to join in the fun yet, please do:

https://www.simonsays.org.uk/biggest-game-of-simon-says/

Thank you Elson Infant School for kindly hosting us.

Thank you to our fabulous volunteers, Ryan, Beth, Amber and Callum and Katie Bennett for being superstar actors.

Thank you to Pete, our incredible cameraman and director.



Elson Infant School

[Image description: Closed caption video. At the beginning and end of the video our volunteers are talking directly to the camera. They are stood in front of an exterior brick wall at the school. The wall is painted with a mural of a tree in a field with birds, insects and animals surrounding it. The middle section of the video is a montage of still photos showing the team being filmed in the sports hall.]

14/09/2026

Sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch and learn about the amazing things we are achieving together, and how you can join in.

Keep up to date with:

Our latest news and events.

Our work supporting bereaved children, young people and their families.

Our Simon Says Champion Schools Programme.

Our fundraising activities and opportunities to support our work.

Sign up here:

https://www.simonsays.org.uk/newsletter-sign-up/



[Image description: Dark blue background adorned with white graphic elements: a wavy line in the top left corner and an envelope with an outward-pointing arrow in the top right corner. Main image is a photograph showing a close-up of a person's hands holding a blue smartphone. The person's finger is pressing the smartphone screen. In the background, slightly out of focus, is a white ceramic mug on a table, with a notebook. Text below the photograph reads “Sign up to our newsletter.”]

12/09/2026

We are delighted to share that Simon Says has been awarded £1,000 through the Tesco Community Grant
Scheme!

This funding will make such a difference to the lives of the bereaved children and young people we support across Hampshire.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for us and to the incredible team at Tesco. We are proud to be part of such an amazing community. 💙

Tesco
Simon Says Fundraising Page



[Image description: Cream coloured slide. A stylised blue heart graphic is in the top right corner. Bold text in dark blue reads “Thank you.” Below this the Tesco Community Grants” logo, which features its red "TESCO" text with a blue dashed line beneath. Below this is further text that reads “Your donation will ensure we can continue to support bereaved children and young people in Hampshire when they need us the most.”]