YOU MAY NOT KNOW…
Up to 6,000 children die every year in the UK
WHY?
Because mortality will affect everyone at some point and yet people find it almost impossible to talk about.
Version
Recorded
A downloadable animated film narrated by Sir Tony Robinson with an original soundtrack.
Mr Mac
Version
Recorded
subtitled
A downloadable animated film with added subtitles, narrated by Sir Tony Robinson with an original soundtrack
Mrs Goodall
Do-It-Yourself
A downloadable animated film with interactive buttons; plus scripts and musical scores for schools to create their own production.
Version
Mr Pinker
“Project Eileen is shining a light on an issue that has been taboo for far too long, despite affecting young people in a whole host of ways. After losing my closest friend age 19, I felt isolated, and my friends and peers struggled to deal with it as much as I did. I really think Project Eileen will provide support for those young individuals who have lost someone close in age, but also, and perhaps more importantly, show others how to comprehend and help younger people who are dealing with grief.”
Bryan Lynch
Deputy Director of Social Work
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
WHAT?
The multimedia programme for Year 9 and 10 pupils comprises a powerful story which looks at the impact of death on a group of teenagers and their school community, presented through narration, animation and music, with a series of lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations and teacher resources. Secondary schools can choose from:
HOW WILL THIS HELP?
1
Raise awareness
By normalising the topic of death, it is anticipated young people will find themselves in a better position to deal with any loss they will one day encounter, sometimes unexpectedly.
2
Address the stigma
For those who have not yet encountered death in their lives, it is hoped they will discover ways to respond to their friends who have been bereaved. In the future, this knowledge will enable them to offer support to colleagues, friends and relatives.
3
Combat isolation, loneliness and
encourage peer support
For young people who have been affected by death already in their lives, it is hoped it will help to reduce loneliness and feelings of isolation.
4
Reduce the development of mental health issues and complications
By opening up discussion and giving young people the chance to talk and, importantly, letting them know where they can find help if they need it.
5
Build resilience
When faced with the challenges of bereavement or supporting a friend who has been bereaved, it is hoped to help increase young people’s capacity to adapt in challenging circumstances and help build emotional resilience.
6
Boost creativity
With the decline of arts education in schools, the DIY Version gives young people the potential to benefit from the restorative qualities creativity can bring to mental and physical health. A community spirit is encouraged by giving young people the power to work and create something together.
REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL
The second pilot begins January 2021 after which it will become available to secondary schools across the UK.
Register your school in advance to have access to all the material as soon as it goes live.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
MAKE A DONATION
Whether it is a one-off payment or a monthly donation, your generosity will help to change society and, we hope, the future for today’s young people.
Send a cheque payable to: Project Eileen CIO
to:
Project Eileen
Community Base
Queen’s Road
Brighton BN13XG
HELP RAISE FUNDS
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Make Project Eileen your charity next time you enter a marathon or hold an event.
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Consider asking your employer about match funding.
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Make Project Eileen your workplace charity.
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Start a fundraiser page for Project Eileen with Golden Giving.
SPREAD THE WORD
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram and share so everyone knows what we’re up to.
BUY A SONG
COMING SOON
Original
Project Eileen Tracks
on Bandcamp
“We spend thousands of hours teaching our children on everything from physics, geometry, to the dreaded ‘sex education’ lessons. But not one hour of the school curriculum is devoted to that inescapable nature of our own mortality - how to deal with death. To be human is to be mortal. Project Eileen is a ground-breaking attempt to arm our children with a mechanism to break the social taboos around death.”
Kevin Toolis
Author of My Father’s Wake: How the Irish Teach Us to Live, Love and Die