The Memory Box Project has been set up by three nurses to provide Memory Boxes for children bereaved of a parent or a sibling on the critical care unit. They work with and support the children providing them with an opportunity to ask questions and be involved in collecting handprints, locks of hair, and other personel items. Each box is individualised according to each childs need and includes story books on bereavement and a pair of matching teddies. One teddy stays with the child the other stays with the person that has passed away. The project relies soley on donations.

When a young mum or dad or any beloved relative dies in critical care, the shock for their children can be overwhelming.

But now a scheme at Poole Hospital's Critical Care unit is helping families at this devastating time by handing out Memory Boxes.

Following the death of a young mum in Poole's Critical Care Unit a year ago, staff wanted to help her children and the Memory Box scheme was created. The boxes are offered to families on Poole Hospital’s critical care unit when it has been confirmed a patient will not recover from their illness or injury.