The SMILES programme is all about fun and engagement for bereaved British Forces children and young people. It includes activities, gifts and group events, which have the purpose of making bereaved Forces children and young people smile again and reminds them they aren’t alone and are part of a supportive community.
SMILES Programme
Scotty’s Little Soldiers Founder Nikki Scott’s original vision for the charity was to provide opportunities for bereaved Forces children to smile again. All the fun and engaging activities within the Smiles programme have been created to help the children and young people do exactly what it says on the tin, smile!
Because the activities year after year, it means we are able to build a trust and a long term relationship with the families we support. This makes it so much easier for them to reach out if they need additional help at any time.
Here are just some of the ways we do our best to #HelpTheirChildrenSmile.
If you know a child or young person who has experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, they could be eligible for specialist bereavement support from Scotty's Little Soldiers. Hundreds of bereaved military children aren’t getting the support they need but we are here to help.
- If you are seeking support for a bereaved military child or young person, click here.
- If you are the parent or carer of a bereaved military child or young person, click here.
- If you work with bereaved children & young people, click here.
- If you are a bereaved young person seeking support, click here.
Smiles
Support
The SUPPORT programme looks after the emotional health and wellbeing of the bereaved military children and young people we support. It includes information and guidance on childhood bereavement for parents and carers, and 1:1 professional bereavement support for children and young people.
Strides
The STRIDES programme focuses on the education and development needs of bereaved Forces children and young people. This includes promoting a positive attitude to learning and providing opportunities to develop life skills. It also includes a range of small educational grants.
Springboard
The SPRINGBOARD programme provides support to young adults ages 18-25 who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the Armed Forces. It assists with opportunities to develop their education and learning, build a career and enhance life skills.
Case Studies
Remembering my military dad who was killed in action
13-year-old bereaved military child Lennon Palin was just one when his dad, Cpl Mark Palin, was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. His younger sister, Ruby, had not yet been born at the time he died and never got to meet her dad. This November, Lennon shares why Remembrance means so much to him and his family, and how support from bereaved British Forces children’s charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers continues to help them during this emotional and challenging time.
Why I want people to always remember my Army dad
12-year-old Logan Prior’s dad, PTE Daniel Prior, was fatally wounded while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. Logan, who had only been born the previous month, has had to grow up without his dad by his side – something that has become more impactful with every passing year. This November, Logan wants to share what Remembrance means to British Forces children like him, and how bereaved military children’s charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers have helped support him since he was just a toddler.
