Grieving mum aims to help others who are struggling

SENSORY GARDEN IN MEMORY OF DAUGHTER WHO TOOK OWN LIFE

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

"I MADE a promise after what happened to us that no family or child should have to go through that again. I’m trying to make a positive out of some really negative stuff."

These are the courageous words of Jenna Bigg, 43, whose daughter, Summer Sheppard took her own life, aged just 14, in November 2023.

The grieving mother is planning to open a sensory and therapy garden on her property to provide comfort for others suffering the pain of losing a loved one.

Jenna's desire to help stems from her battle to get Summer the help she needed when the teenager began suffering with her mental health.

After delays due to services struggling to cope with a backlog of referrals, Summer, who had made previous attempts to end her life, was referred to CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services).

However, she told the service that she didn't need help and was discharged. Gillick competence guidelines were used by the mental health team to determine whether Summer was mature enough to make this decision on her own behalf.

Jenna, who now lives in Newstead, said: “We battled trying to get her diagnosed and get her some help but it was minefield, an absolute nightmare.