Young people came together at Nairn Academy on Monday (7 September) for a special book event featuring Scottish comedian and broadcaster Ashley Storrie.
The Stories had Power event was organised by Hope Support Services and Change, Loss & Bereavement Highland (CLB Highland), with funding from the Haventus Ardersier Port Community Benefit Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland.
Ashley read a selection of books from the Stories Have Power booklist, which was launched by CLB Highland, with funding from the Whole Family Wellbeing Programme, to help children, young people and families explore experiences of change, loss and bereavement through stories.
The event also helped raise awareness of the free online support available from Hope Support Services, including one-to-one support and moderated groups, for children and young people who have a loved one diagnosed with a serious illness.
Hope has been carrying out outreach in the Nairn area since 2025 to raise awareness of its free online support for children and young people affected by a loved one’s serious illness.
The idea for the event developed after Ashley presented a BBC Radio 4 Appeal for Hope in May 2026.
Julie MacDonald, Head Teacher of Nairn Academy, said: “We know that many of our young people have experienced loss, change and uncertainty, and we recognise the impact this can have on their wellbeing.
“Working in partnership with Hope Support Services and CLB Highland helps us to strengthen the support available to our pupils and families. Through stories, young people can find comfort, understanding and hope, and we are delighted to have hosted this special event with Ashley Storrie.”
Louise Dockstader, for Hope Support Services, said: “It’s so important that children and young people can access support, if they are struggling with a loved one’s illness. Hope provides free, online support all over the UK. We saw there were fewer young people being referred from the region than we would expect so we wanted to do some outreach here.
“We worked with the Highland Council’s Change, Loss & Bereavement Group last year to design an outreach project and were very grateful for the funding from Haventus Ardersier Port Community Benefit Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland.
“We hope that today’s event with Ashley Storrie will increase awareness of the benefits of Hope’s free support service, and the work of the CLB Group, in conjunction with Nairn Academy and the primary schools in the area. Any children or young people age 5 to 25, or their families, who may need support around a loved one’s illness can go to hopesupport.org.uk and refer themselves, or just contact us to find out more.”
Emma Campbell & Jo Chamberlain Co-Chairs of Change, Loss & Bereavement Highland (CLB Highland) added: “This year marks ten years of Change, Loss & Bereavement Highland (CLB Highland), a partnership that brings together organisations from across education, health, social care, libraries and the third sector to improve support for children, young people and families across Highland.
“The launch of our Stories Have Power booklist in November 2025 was an important milestone in widening access to books that help children, young people and families explore experiences of change, loss and bereavement.
“Stories can help start conversations; create opportunities to share experiences and reassure young people that they are not alone in what they are feeling. They can also help children, families and the professionals who support them to better understand and respond to grief, while normalising the wide range of emotions and reactions that can accompany change and loss.
“We are delighted to be working with Hope Support Services, Nairn Academy and Ashley Storrie to celebrate this achievement and highlight the important role that stories can play in helping children and young people make sense of difficult experiences and feel less alone.”
Ashley Storrie said: “I am delighted to be here in Nairn today meeting with children, young people, schools and families, and the Highland Council’s Change, Loss & Bereavement Group, to help raise awareness of the difficulties some youngsters face when a loved one has a serious illness.
“When my own mum had ovarian cancer, and subsequently passed away, it was difficult for me to deal with and I was an adult. I can’t imagine how hard that would be if you are a child.
“I hope that by reading some of the great children’s books and young adult books on the subject, with children from local schools, we will raise awareness of the issue and the great work that Hope and the CLB Highland team do to support these young people.”
For more information please visit:
To view the booklist visit:
To learn more about Hope Support Services visit:
Hope Support Services – Helping young people when someone gets sick
clbhighland.com 