skylight's beginnings

In 1996 a children's bereavement support group was operating in Wellington at Mary Potter Hospice. A committed team provided a programme once a week. When the Hospice needed to conclude this service, some of the team members investigated the possibility of establishing a children’s grief support agency elsewhere. It was to be for children facing all kinds of change, loss and grief issues in life – not only bereavement.

BiceFrom 1996 to 1998 fundraising and planning got underway and in late 1998 skylight was born. Bice Awan, our Chief Executive (right), was our first staff member. Armed with a chair and a telephone in the corner of empty new office space in Newtown, Bice began building up what we have become today.

With the generous help of donors and sponsors, and with staff numbers and services steadily growing, the organisation today offers unique and empowering support and resources to children, teens and their families who are impacted by loss and grief - whatever the cause.

8 short VIDEO CLIPS of young people talking about getting through tough times

More info about skylight...

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."

Helen Keller

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