A NEW centre in Glasgow for children and young people who have been bereaved has been given a royal seal of approval.

The Duchess of Argyll officially opened the new centre yesterday run by Richmond’s Hope.

The charity works with four to 18-year-olds to help them understand how to deal with the loss of someone close to them.

 Liz Henderson, a minister in the Church of Scotland, established the organisation alongside Jessie Douglas, whose own son Andrew was killed in a motorbike accident when he was 28-years-old.

The new service in Glasgow, based in Ibrox Parish Church, will support more than 200 children in the next three years and includes a playroom for younger children, a room for teenagers and a ‘volcano room’, which is a sensory room used to promote calmness and lower aggressive behaviours.

The charity raised £100,000 to build the new centre, with grants coming from the Scottish Government, the Trusthouse Foundation, the Bellahouston Fund, the Rank Foundation, St James’ Place Foundation, the Baird Trust and the Robertson Trust.   Eleanor, the Duchess of Argyll,  said: “I’m honoured to be invited to open an amazing centre and experience the wonderful work that has expanded into Glasgow from Edinburgh. It was inspiring to meet a young boy who is benefiting hugely from the expertise of Richmond’s Hope. The charity offers a service that is vital to children and families to help them cope and live well with their grief.”

Ms Douglas added:“Sixteen years ago we had a dream that bereaved children in our local community should have their own place to work through their grief.  “Two years later, after lots of hard work ‘Richmond’s Hope’ was born.  “The project was successful from the start due a lot to the dedicated and enthusiastic staff, soon we were working with children not only from our own community but throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians with bases in Churches in the West side of Edinburgh, and one in Dalkeith in Midlothian. Now, beyond our wildest dreams we have begun working here in Glasgow.”