THEY TELL THE MONSTER THEIR WORRIES

Ann and her husband look after their three grandchildren after family upheaval.

“We honestly couldn’t go through what we’re going through without the worry monsters”, says Ann. “The children love them and they go everywhere with them.”

Five years on the trauma of their experience is still raw for the children and the worry monsters feature heavily in their play therapy sessions.

“They tell the monsters their worries, sometimes write things down and then zip up the mouth. They might share their worries, which are mostly about the past, with their play therapy teacher or their nurse,” says Ann.

By Jo Henwood

A grandmother says her grandchildren could not have survived traumatic experiences without their worry monsters.

Initially given to the two youngest children only, the benefit of the worry monster soon became apparent. “The younger two were given theirs and then the eldest asked where his was – he was quite upset he hadn’t got one,” said Ann. “So their nurse got him one and he hasn’t let it out of his sight. He carries it around with him all the time and even takes it to school. He goes to senior school soon but he’s not at all bothered.”

Children’s nurse Kay McEneny wishes for every school to embrace the idea. “My hope is that it will be acceptable to everyone that it’s okay not to be okay. If you need your worry monster that’s okay.”

There Be Dragons

Inventor Jo Proud impressed all five ‘dragons’ on BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den, leading to investments from each one of them for her Mood Bears which aid both children and adults facing various challenges.

Encouraged by Jo’s journey, the St Helens Children in Care team pitched to Mersey Care’s Charity Fund to win funding to buy worry monsters for families in their care.

WHAT’S A WORRY MONSTER?

Worry monsters are fuzzy little creatures with a zip mouth to help gobble up worries and anxieties. “These aren’t scary monsters,” says Kay (above). “They’re made to be friendly, enjoyable and engaging. Jotting down worries can often help; so, when troubling thoughts arise, children can write them down or draw a picture and give it to their worry monster.” be taking his own worry monster along when he straps up his walking boots in May to climb Yorkshire’s Three Peaks to help raise funds for young people.

No newcomer to fundraising, Michael and the team raised more than £500 last year to ensure that children they look after each received a present at Christmas.

Michael says older children often miss out when it comes to gifts.

“One of our young people recently turned 18 and I was able to give him a nice gift with the money raised. He was made up as he doesn’t usually get any presents.”

Gifts for older teenagers and care leavers might include cinema or restaurant vouchers.

Kay McEneny says having funds to buy gifts is a huge benefit to young people in the service, “this is so good for their emotional health. They can go out with friends and do things that other young people might take for granted.”

You can give a gift to a child in care through Mersey Cares charity. Visit merseycarenhs.enthuse.com/ cf/childrenincare to make your donation.