And please let us know if you would like your organisation linked to this page (Please note we cannot list commercial organisations).
Area served: If U CARE SHARE
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Website: share@ifucareshare.co.uk
A charity set up by the siblings and other family members of a young man who took his own life. They provide emotional & practical support with three aims;
Prevention, intervention and support after suicide in Durham and Sunderland.
Website: https://www.ifucareshare.co.uk/support
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Email:share@ifucareshare.co.uk
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 07803 751229; Office: 01785 283 434
Website: www.achildofmine.org.uk
Services: Support for anyone affected by the death of a child through website and support groups. Also working to improve bereavement care for parents and families who have lost a child. Some sibling support.
Hours: Helpline: 09.00-17.00
Telephone: email: aidanselephants@gmail.com
Website: www.aidanselephants.co.uk
Services: A charity which donates memory boxes, Receipt of Life Certificates and other memory keepsakes to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Yorkshire. Also offers national online support via its website and social media to anyone affected by the loss of a baby or young child of any gestation or age.
Area served: All of Ireland
Telephone: 0035 3 (1) 4045378
Website: www.anamcara.ie email: info@anamcara.i.e
Services: An all Ireland organisation providing online and face to face peer support services for bereaved parents and siblings.
Area served: National
Website: www.ataloss.org
Services: A one stop shop website for finding appropriate bereavement support
Area served: Exeter, Mid and East Devon
Telephone: 01392 826064
Website: www.balloonscharity.co.uk
Services: Balloons is a charity that provides support for children, young people and their families before an expected death, or following the death, of someone significant in their lives. They work across Exeter, Mid and East Devon, providing a dedicated phone line, one-to-one support with children and young people in the above areas.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0808 8000401
Website: www.brake.org.uk
Services: National organisation offering various forms of support for road crash victims.
Hours: Helpline Hours M - F 10 - 4pm
Area served: Romsey (Hampshire), Selsey (West Sussex) and Bournemouth (Dorset)
Telephone: info@butterfliesbereavement.co.uk
Website: www.butterfliesbereavement.co.uk
Offers a bereavement counselling service on a donation basis in three areas, Romsey, Selsey and Bournemouth. Also offer pre-bereavement support. They have launched a new Suicide Prevention and Support Project that will look at ways of supporting those who struggle with life's issues and provide the chance to talk to others at the time of need and hopefully save lives.
They also have a Suicide Support Group on the 4th Wednesday of the month in Romsey (Hampshire) from 7-8pm for those people who have lost someone through Suicide and to learn from the experiences of others, make friends and gain help and support from our team of listeners.
Following feedback from their users, they have created a walk in the park session that takes place on the 1st Sunday of the Month
Area served: National
Telephone: 029 2081 0800
Website: www.careforthefamily.org.uk
Services: A Christian organisation, offering hope and comfort to those who have a lost a child of any age, in any circumstance and at any time following the death – through a telephone support network, events and a regular email newsletter.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 0288 840
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Services: Supporting families and educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 282 986 (Freephone) or free mobile 0808 800 6019
Website: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Services: A Freephone service for all those affected by the death of a child. Helpline volunteers are all bereaved parents.
Hours: Open 365 days a year: every evening 19.00- 22.00 Mon -Fri 10 - 13.00 Tues 13.00 -16.00 and Wed 13.00-16.00
Area served: National
Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Services: Search for a counsellor or psychotherapist near you (dedicated bereavement section)
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0808 808 167; Office: 020 8939 9530
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Services: Support after the death of someone close.
Area served: Berkshire and Surrounding Area
Telephone: 0118 934 2604
Website: www.daisydrram.org.uk
Services: One to one support for bereaved children and families across Berkshire and Surrounding area. Also support where serious illness diagnosed or when facing bereavement.
Hours: M-F 09.30-17.00
Area served: North Staffordshire and Cheshire
Telephone: 01782 683 155
Website: www.thedoveservice.org.uk
Services: Support and counselling for anyone affected by bereavement and/or a life limited/changing illness across Staffordshire and Cheshire. Counsellors specialise in working with bereaved children, young people and families.
Area served: National
Website: www.dyingmatters.org
Services: Raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement.
Area served: London/Essex
Telephone: 07814 550375
Website: www.edenstrust.org.uk
Services: To provide a network of support/survival groups, workshops, education and crisis counselling for those who have suffered the loss of a child. To raise awareness and to promote education about personal safety both at home and abroad. They offer two centres in London where 'healing' groups/workshops take place: Wanstead E11 and Southwark, SE1.
Area served: West Midlands/Staffordshire/Shropshire/Warwickshire/Worcestershire
Telephone: 0121 454 1705
Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk
Services: Holistic family bereavement services supporting children, young people and parents. Also anyone affected by the death of a child.
Hours: 09.00-17.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 800 2222
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Services: Confidential, free helpline service (previously known as Parentline). Offers information, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life.
Hours: Available 9 am - 9 pm, Monday - Friday and 10 am - 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Area served: Ireland
Telephone: 24 hour helpline 1850 391 391 or email support@firstlight.ie
Website: https://firstlight.ie
Services: A bereavement support service for parents and families anywhere in Ireland who experience the sudden loss of an infant or young child.
Area served: National
Website: www.flacss.co.uk
Services: The aim is to help connect people to the right support and advice network for their circumstances. FLACSS is built up of member organisations who aim to provide assistance to all affected by death in unforeseen circumstances.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 802 0925 (Freephone); Office: 020 7428 5400
Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk
Services: Information on financial and legal issues, childcare for single parent families. Local support groups. Regional organisations: One Parent Families Scotland. Gingerbread NI (Northern Ireland).
Hours: Mon 10.00 -18.00 Tues/Thurs/Fri 10.00-16.00 Wed 10.00-13.00/17.00-19.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 8371 8455 (Helpline)
Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
Services: Free Helpline, email support, specialist resources and family programme.
Hours: N/K
Area served: Essex
Website: www.hbbscounselling.org
Services: Helping people through bereavement.
Area served: National
Website: www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk
Services: A confidential website service that encourages those in need to seek help and to connect individuals with qualified hypnotherapists in the UK. They offer information about what hypnotherapy is, how it can help, articles written by practitioners including articles on PTSD and the latest hypnotherapy news. To ensure the professionalism of their website, all hypnotherapists have provided qualifications and insurance cover or proof of membership with a professional body.
Area served: Leicester, Derby and Coventry
Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk
The Laura Centre offers specialist bereavement counselling to parents whose child has died and to children or young people who have been bereaved of a parent or significant person.
Based in Leicester, with centres also in Derby and Coventry, the centre offers wide ranging individual and group support as well as a variety of alternative therapies. They have recently started working with the Zephyr Project offering counselling services at Nottingham City Hospital.
Area served: Orpington, Kent
Telephone: 07734 009630
Website: www.livingon.org.uk
Services: Offers bereavement support to children, young people and families in Orpington, Kent, when someone they love has died.
Area served: London
Website: www.bereavement.org.uk
Services: Counselling service for the the City and East London.
Area served: Liverpoool Area
Telephone: 0151 252 3145 or text 07566 225 253
Website: www.lovejasmine.org.uk Email: support@lovejasmine.org.uk
Services: A bereavement support charity offering support to bereaved families in the Liverpool area. Set up by a couple following the tragic loss of their daughter, Jasmine. Support offered through One to one counselling, Adult Groups, Family Group Work, Sibling Support Groups (for children between the ages of 4-11) and Coffee Mornings.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 - 3pm.
Area served: National
Telephone: 075419 77152 or email: enquiries@nctuk.uk
Website: www.nctuk.co.uk
Services: Provision of treatment and support for serving Armed Forces and former serving personnel with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and associated medical conditions and their family
Area served: National
Telephone: 08454 670 806
Website: www.NaturalTherapyForAll.com
Services: An online web directory listing complementary therapists such as counsnellors, hypnotherapists, acupuncturists etc who are based all over the UK. Each therapist has a profile stating what areas they specialise in, a bit about their background and their qualifications. All have a relevant qualification and insurance cover or proof of registration with a profession body. The site also has a wealth of information about various types of distress that complementary therapies can help.
Area served: Cambridge, London, Oxford and Ipswich
Telephone: 0300 688 0068 email: counselling@petalscharity.org
Website: www.petalscharity.org
Services: Charity providing specialist counselling to parents suffering trauma and loss during pregnancy and birth. Counselling is offered at Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambridge, Queen Charlotte's Hospital and St Mary's Hospital, London, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford and Ipswich Hospital
Area served: Bristol and South West
Telephone: 0117 985 3343
Website: www.rainbowcentre.org.uk email: contact@rainbowcentre.org.uk
Services: Free professional support for children and their families affected by bereavement or life threatening illness.
Hours: M-F 10.00-16.00
Area served: Hampshire
Telephone: 023 8064 7550
Website: www.simonsays.org.uk
Services: Bereavement support for children and their families. Also support and training to schools. Support groups in Hampshire and a specific teenage group (11-18 years)
Hours: Answering machine service
Area served: North and South London
Telephone: 07532 423 674 or Message info@slowgroup.co.uk
Website: www.slowgroup.co.uk
A charity run by bereaved parents for other bereaved parents. Support groups for bereaved parents are held in North London, daytime and evening (Tufnell Park). As of June 2018, New South London (Streatham) daytime support group. Meetings in Streatham will be held weekly on Tuesday mornings (term time only) from 11 am - 12 30 pm (for further info about Streatham groups, please contact Michelle on 07908 937722)
Also as of June 2018, will be running creative workshops on a quarterly basis where bereaved siblings (aged 6-14) can meet to explore feelings, develop their creative skills and commemorate their sibling. Contact: Nic 07532 423 674.
Area served: Haverhill, Suffolk and surrounding area
Telephone: 01440 848260
Website: Email: enquiries@stnh.org.uk
Services: A drop in bereavement support group for parents who have lost a child at any age, from any cause and however long ago. It has been set up by St Nicholas Hospice Care. Drop in meetings are held from 2.00 - 3.30 pm on the second Thursday of each month.
Area served: Rochdale
Telephone: 01706 649 920
Bereavement Support Group for parents run by the Hospice's psychological therapy team
First support group meeting taking place:
Saturday 21 July 2018, thereafter on the 3rd Saturday of each month
10.30am-12pm
Please note: This is not a TCF Support Group and the Facilitators are not bereaved parents. However, they have received TCF Group Facilitation Training
Area served: National
Website: www.standalone.org.uk
Services: Stand Alone offers support services to prevent estranged adults becoming vulnerable. They talk openly about the experiences of family estrangement to help others to lead lives that are less isolated. They offer support groups, guides to coping in different estrangement situations, therapeutic workshops, research and advice on how to get through difficult times of the year such as Christmas. They offer specific support to students estranged from their families.
Area served: Falkirk and surrounding area
Telephone: 01324 826222
Website: www.strathcarronhospice.net
Services: Offers a range of palliative and post bereavement support for adults. Strathcarron also runs support groups for children aged 6 – 18 when they have been affected by loss, grief and change because someone who is special to them has died. It is based upon the belief that loss, grief and change are a natural part of life and it aims to educate and support the children by offering a means of understanding through looking at the seasons of the year. The changing seasons can be used to illustrate and explain how they might be feeling and how they might learn to manage these feelings.
Area served: National
Telephone: Head office no: 01235 772850 or info@sudep.org Support (direct line): 01235 772 852 or support@sudep.org
Website: www.sudep.org
A charity dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy risks and tackling epilepsy death including sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy. They offer bereavement support, counselling, advocacy and legal help including understanding the inquest process. They also involve bereaved parents in research about deaths due to epilepsy.
Please note: SUDEP Action Scotland can be contacted at: 0131 516 7987
Area served: National
Website: www.tamba.org.uk/bereavement
Services: Supports all parents and carers of multiples who have experienced loss whether it was during pregnancy, at birth or at any point afterwards.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0800 435 455 (if line is engaged, please ring 0800 9177 416
Website: www.bereavement-trust.org.uk
The Bereavement Trust offers a National Freephone Helpline for anyone who has been bereaved, operating every evening of the week, without exception.
In collaboration with District Councils, they also help establish Children's Gardens in cemeteries as well as co-operating with other organisations, individuals and the media on a variety of bereavement-related initiatives.
Hours: Every evening from 6 - 10pm
Area served: National
Website: www.bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk/
A charity ( Nick and Donna Hodges are bereaved parents who have lost their son, Bodie and have a surviving daughter) providing memory bags containing grief resources, free of charge to families to support sibling grief. There is a memory bag for bereaved siblings aged 12 and under and one for those aged 13 and over. The bags aim to
Explain how we grieve and to support an understanding of how we might feel when someone dies
Encourage children and young people to share their thoughts, feelings and worries
Books to encourage understanding of grief
A treasure chest to store those precious memories
Art resources to encourage creativity
Please contact Donna: donna.hodges@bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk. if you would like to know more or to be sent a memory bag for a bereaved sibling.
Area served: National
Website: https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/
Services: A charity offering help and hope in one online website. It is run by the bereaved for the bereaved. They try to guide you in the right direction for the support you need when you have been bereaved. This is offered through practical help and tips, support organisations and things to consider when you are bereaved.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 400 1234 or email Liz@atlilyfoundation.org.uk
Services: A charity dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease. The charity's mission to support people whose lives are affected by the condition and to raise awareness and fund research into its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Area served: London and Oxford
Website: www.thelossfoundation.org
A charity offering in-person support following the loss of a loved one to cancer. Support is offered in London and Oxford in the form of bereavement support groups and other supportive social events. They also provide an array of bereavement information on their website to support those that fall out of their support group catchment area.
All of their services were created in response to the needs that their users have spoken about. As a result they run a variety of different supportive events, from general cancer bereavement support groups, specific support for bereaved parents and sibling to themed support groups to social events, weekend retreats, and more. Upcoming events: March 2019 - bereaved parents support group in South Central London and sibling support group meeting in South Central London in May 2019
Area served: Yeovil and Taunton, Somerset
Telephone: 24 hour Helpline 01460 55120
Website: http://www.rosiecranetrust.org/
24 hour Helpline for bereaved parents who have lost a child at any age and any circumstances and however long ago.
Drop in support group where bereaved parents can meet for an informal chat with refreshments - first Saturday of the month in Yeovil and 3rd Saturday of the month in Taunton, both 10.30 - 12.30 pm.
Hours: 24 hour Helpline
Area served: Staffordshire
Telephone: 01543 449069
Website: www.violetsinbloom.org email: info@violetsinbloom.org
Services: Offers general bereavement support for bereaved parents including a retreat in Wales. Also provides financial support towards funeral/headstone costs for children under 16.
Area served: National
Telephone: 01242 515 157. Freephone Helpline 08088 020 021
Website: www.winstonswish.org
Services: Offers practical support and guidance to bereaved children (3-18 years) and their families. Also practical support and guidance for those supporting a child who is bereaved at any age up to 18.
Hours: M-F 09.00-17.00 & Wed 19.00-21.30
Area served: Nottingham and surrounding areas
Telephone: 0115 924 9924 ext 66276 (Jackie Brown, Bereavement Facilitator)
Support offered to parents/bereaved families who have lost a baby/child or sibling of any age through
professional bereavement counselling; therapeutic writing and art workshops; specialist counselling for siblings affected by the death of a brother or sister; friendship and supportive conversation for anyone affected.
Zephyr's is a quiet, peaceful place for parents to meet hospital bereavement staff away from the clinical areas such as maternity units with all the difficult memories they may hold. And beyond our hospital staff, it is also open to GPs and other community health professionals who can use the centre as a meeting venue with bereaved parents.
Contact: Jackie Browne, Bereavement Facilitator Telephone:0115 9249924 ext 66276
E-mail jackie.browne@nuh.nhs.uk Website: Care Of Parents In Grief - (CoPinG)
Please leave a message on answering machine. Callers will be rung back asap.
Please let callers know support takes place in a hospital (helpful for parents to know especially if their child has died in a hospital environment).
Hours: Meetings take place 2nd Wednesday of each month
Area served: National
Telephone: 0303 303 0303 General Enquiries
Website: www.anthonynolan.org
A national charity offering support, advice and information to people with blood cancer and their families.
They match individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people who desperately need lifesaving transplants.
They have recently produced a booklet called Bereavement & Stem Cell Transplant is one of their many publications which you can download from their website https://www.anthonynolan.org/patients-and-families/order-or-download-publications
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 652 3181 (Freephone)
Website: www.climb.org.uk
Services: Information and support for children, young people, adults and families. Work with professionals. Provide family service team.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00 - 16.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 01737 363 222
Website: www.c-r-y.org.uk
Services: Offers help, support and counselling to families where there has been a sudden cardiac death of an apparently fit and healthy young person (aged 35 or under).
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-17.00
Area served: Berkshire and Surrounding Area
Telephone: 0118 934 2604
Website: www.daisydrram.org.uk
Services: One to one support for bereaved children and families across Berkshire and Surrounding area. Also support where serious illness diagnosed or when facing bereavement.
Hours: M-F 09.30-17.00
Area served: North Staffordshire and Cheshire
Telephone: 01782 683 155
Website: www.thedoveservice.org.uk
Services: Support and counselling for anyone affected by bereavement and/or a life limited/changing illness across Staffordshire and Cheshire. Counsellors specialise in working with bereaved children, young people and families.
Area served: Ireland
Telephone: 24 hour helpline 1850 391 391 or email support@firstlight.ie
Website: https://firstlight.ie
Services: A bereavement support service for parents and families anywhere in Ireland who experience the sudden loss of an infant or young child.
Area served: National
Website: www.flacss.co.uk
Services: The aim is to help connect people to the right support and advice network for their circumstances. FLACSS is built up of member organisations who aim to provide assistance to all affected by death in unforeseen circumstances.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 808 0000
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Services: Practical, medical and financial support for those living with cancer. Also support for families and carers.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-20.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 8010 388 (nurse staffed); Office: 01435 768000
Website: www.meningitisnow.org
Services: Support and information before and after. Free counselling. Family days - children who have meningitis or lost someone to it. Financial grants.
Hours: Helpline: 09.00 -20.00 every day
Area served: National
Website: www.ncpc.org.uk
Services: Umbrella charity for all those involved in palliative, end of life and hospice care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Area served: Bristol and South West
Telephone: 0117 985 3343
Website: www.rainbowcentre.org.uk email: contact@rainbowcentre.org.uk
Services: Free professional support for children and their families affected by bereavement or life threatening illness.
Hours: M-F 10.00-16.00
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0808 800 0029; General no: 0800 389 6255
Website: www.sepsistrust.org.uk
Services: Support for anyone affected by sepsis. For whatever reason you have been affected, the UK Sepsis Trust support team is there to help you. You can contact them by email or phone and speak to one of their trained sepsis support nurses who can offer support and advice.
Area served: Hampshire
Telephone: 023 8064 7550
Website: www.simonsays.org.uk
Services: Bereavement support for children and their families. Also support and training to schools. Support groups in Hampshire and a specific teenage group (11-18 years)
Hours: Answering machine service
Area served: National
Telephone: Contact: Nikki Speed Co-Founder & Medical Lead email: info@sudc.org.uk
Website: www.sudc.org/uk
SUDC UK is dedicated to increasing awareness of sudden unexpected deaths in childhood and funding crucial research to better understand and prevent these tragedies. Co-founded by three SUDC bereaved mothers in memory of all SUDC children, they hope to make a difference by shining their light on SUDC.
SUDC UK is an affiliate of the SUDC Foundation, an international charity devoted solely to the needs of families and professionals touched by unexpected/unexplained deaths of children
Area served: National
Telephone: Head office no: 01235 772850 or info@sudep.org Support (direct line): 01235 772 852 or support@sudep.org
Website: www.sudep.org
A charity dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy risks and tackling epilepsy death including sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy. They offer bereavement support, counselling, advocacy and legal help including understanding the inquest process. They also involve bereaved parents in research about deaths due to epilepsy.
Please note: SUDEP Action Scotland can be contacted at: 0131 516 7987
Area served: London and Oxford
Website: www.thelossfoundation.org
A charity offering in-person support following the loss of a loved one to cancer. Support is offered in London and Oxford in the form of bereavement support groups and other supportive social events. They also provide an array of bereavement information on their website to support those that fall out of their support group catchment area.
All of their services were created in response to the needs that their users have spoken about. As a result they run a variety of different supportive events, from general cancer bereavement support groups, specific support for bereaved parents and sibling to themed support groups to social events, weekend retreats, and more. Upcoming events: March 2019 - bereaved parents support group in South Central London and sibling support group meeting in South Central London in May 2019
Area served: Hampshire
Website: www.theredlipstickfoundation.org
Services: The Red Lipstick Foundation exists to offer services to families in Hampshire who have been bereaved by suicide or immediate family members following a person’s sudden death. Their services include: counselling, befriending, practical and emotional support, support groups, holistic therapies, media management and emergency financial assistance.
Area served: If U CARE SHARE
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Website: share@ifucareshare.co.uk
A charity set up by the siblings and other family members of a young man who took his own life. They provide emotional & practical support with three aims;
Prevention, intervention and support after suicide in Durham and Sunderland.
Website: https://www.ifucareshare.co.uk/support
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Email:share@ifucareshare.co.uk
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 7553 7640 (this is not a helpline)
Website: www.adfam.org.uk
Services: Support for families affected by drugs and alcohol. Information, local support groups and helplines for anyone affected by someone else’s substance use.
Area served: National
Website: www.beadproject.org.uk
Services: A website with information and support for anyone bereaved through drug or alcohol use.
Area served: Falkirk, Scotland area
A bereaved by Suicide group based in the Falkirk area - welcomes all who are dealing with a painful loss through suicide.
Contact: neil.sowerby@fdamh.org.uk Tel: 01324 671600 or NHS Forth Valley Spiritual Care Team 24/7 no: 07824 460882 or Sandra Campbell 07947 825 464
Area served: Bristol
Telephone: 0117 987 6000
Services: Offer support for adults in Bristol who are bereaved as a result of drug and alcohol use. They can provide links to appropriate organisations who can support you around the loss of a loved one through alcohol or other drugs. Also offer free and confidential support to 11-19 year olds in the Bristol area.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800585858
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Services: Support and campaigning organisation against male suicide.
Area served: Based in Cowdenbeath Scotland and supports people in Fife and surrounding areas
Telephone: 01383 610007; 07716 018 785
Website: www.curlystar.org
Services: A charity which supports family, friends and anyone affected by bereavement, particularly suicide in young people.
Area served: National
Telephone: 07715 209415
Website: www.escapingvictimhood.com
Services: A charity providing supportive residential workshops for people whose lives have been disrupted by the trauma of serious crime. They currently specialise in those bereaved by murder and manslaughter.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0208 939 9560
Website: www.facingthefuturegroups.org
The groups are completely free, limited to a maximum of eight people and delivered for six consecutive weeks. Individuals can self-refer. Facilitated by a Cruse and Samaritans volunteer specialising in suicide prevention and bereavement, the groups enable individuals bereaved by suicide to share their experiences with others in a safe, confidential space.
The groups have been designed to be as inclusive as possible: Those eligible to attend will be over 18 and bereaved by suicide for 3 months or longer. Please note the groups are not limited to bereaved parents...anyone who has been bereaved by suicide can attend.
Individuals do not have to reside in areas where the groups are located.
Area served: Ireland
Telephone: 01 492 7576 (code from outside Ireland 00353)
Website: https://friendsofsuicideloss.i.e
Services: F O S L was initiated in 2015 when a group of people bereaved by suicide in the Dublin area came together to offer each other support. In 2016 they began to work side by side with other suicide groups in facilitating group support meetings in Dublin City center for those bereaved by suicide. In 2017 they expanded their support group services to the greater Dublin communities along with providing from time to time educational programmes, publications, workshops, presentations, lectures, conferences and pamphlets for the suicide bereaved, appropriate professionals, counsellors and students, communities and agencies involved in support services for those affected by suicide as well as the general public at large, and raise awareness about suicide bereavement issues in general and reach out beyond the immediate community to liaise nationally and internationally with other similar bodies, communities and people working with the suicide bereaved. F O S L has made the city centre of Dublin its focal point.
Area served: National
Website: www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk
Services: A confidential website service that encourages those in need to seek help and to connect individuals with qualified hypnotherapists in the UK. They offer information about what hypnotherapy is, how it can help, articles written by practitioners including articles on PTSD and the latest hypnotherapy news. To ensure the professionalism of their website, all hypnotherapists have provided qualifications and insurance cover or proof of membership with a professional body.
Area served: Inverness
Group in Inverness for parents of children and young people who have taken their own life. Next meeting will be in the Mercure Hotel, Inverness Town Centre on Sunday 20 May from 11 am to 1 pm.
More details: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/2407001/suicide-james-mullory-family-launch-mental-health-support-group/
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0845 123 8384
Website: www.murdered-abroad.org.uk
Services: A support organisation for families, partners and friends of the victims of murder and manslaughter abroad.
Area served: England
Website: www.nspa.org.uk
Services: An alliance of public, private and voluntary organisations in England who care about suicide prevention and are willing to take individual and collective action to reduce suicide and support those bereaved or affected by suicide.
Area served: Merseyside
Telephone: 0151 709 2994 Mobile: 07545 560 831
Website: www.ourlostloveyears.co.uk
O.L.L.Y supports children bereaved by homicide and culpable road death and also children from communities across Merseyside. We provide children and young people with a range of activities designed around their needs to re-gain the positive outlook in their lives and re-establish friendships while making new ones.
They also welcome children into their group who have not only lost a loved one from acts of violence, but also children who come from communities spread across Liverpool, Wirral and areas where there are high levels of unemployment, a high crime rate and gang culture. O.L.L.Y will always welcome children from all walks of life who wish to join in a wonderful group that is here to support via various activities that focus on their health and well-being.
Hours: 9-5pm
Area served: National
Telephone: HOPEline: 0800 068 41 41; Office: 01292 432 555
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Services: Papyrus' helpline: HOPELineUK is a specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 who are worried about how they are feeling, or anyone who is concerned about a young person.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 01698 324502
Website: www.petalsupport.com
Services: Offers practical and emotional support, advocacy, group support and counselling for the families and friends of murder and suicide victims.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0845 872 3440; Office: 0121 472 2912
Website: www.samm.org.uk
Services: Support for families bereaved by murder and manslaughter.
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: Helpline: 08080 10 10 11
Website: www.sfad.org.uk
Services: Bereavement counselling service for families impacted by a drug related death. Provides counselling sessions and support groups.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 09.00-23.00 Sat & Sun: 17.00 -23.00
Area served: Brighton and Hove (Sussex) but open to any siblings over 18 who wish to travel to their meetings
Website: Website: https://www.siblinglink.co.uk/
Sibling Link is a peer support group set up by two friends who have brothers with mental health issues. Sibling Link is open to any siblings over 18 with a brother or sister who has struggled with mental illness.
They offer an online platform where they offer comfort and advice for you and your loved one (not limited to siblings).They also organise ‘Walk and Talk’ meetings for siblings bereaved by suicide.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0300 111 5065 9 am - 9 pm every day; Office 0115 944 1117
Website: www.uk-sobs.org.uk
Services: Support for adults bereaved by suicide.
Area served: Taunton and West Somerset
Telephone: 01823 334906
Website: www.mindtws.org.uk Email: bereaved@mindtws.org.uk
Services: The Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service at MIND in Taunton & West Somerset are setting up a monthly creative peer support group for young people (14 - 25) bereaved by suicide. MIND have a deep understanding of the issues facing young people after a suicide and would like to offer their experience and support to young people in a peer support environment. The group will have a 6 themed rolling monthly format. The facilitators will be experienced young people's suicide bereavement support workers and lived experience young people. Assessing if the young person is ready for the group will happen before joining. An explanation pack for the young person will be sent with a referral form to be signed by a care giver if appropriate.
Area served: National
Website: http://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/
Services: A network of organisations offering a whole range of practical and emotional support and signposting for anyone who has been affected by the loss of someone who has died by suicide.
Area served: Hampshire
Website: www.theredlipstickfoundation.org
Services: The Red Lipstick Foundation exists to offer services to families in Hampshire who have been bereaved by suicide or immediate family members following a person’s sudden death. Their services include: counselling, befriending, practical and emotional support, support groups, holistic therapies, media management and emergency financial assistance.
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0141 584 3211
Website: www.touchedbysuicidescotland.org
Services: A self help organisation in Scotland which exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. They run groups in Scotland.
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0345 603 9213 Helpline M - Friday 8 am - 8 pm
Website: www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Services: Provides emotional support, practical help and essential information to victims, witnesses, bereaved relatives and young people attending court, as well as others affected by crime in Scotland.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0808 8000401
Website: www.brake.org.uk
Services: National organisation offering various forms of support for road crash victims.
Hours: Helpline Hours M - F 10 - 4pm
Area served: National
Website: www.facebook.com/groups/DrowningSupportNetwork/
Services: Peer support to families who have lost a loved one to drowning and acquatic related tragedy.
Area served: London/Essex
Telephone: 07814 550375
Website: www.edenstrust.org.uk
Services: To provide a network of support/survival groups, workshops, education and crisis counselling for those who have suffered the loss of a child. To raise awareness and to promote education about personal safety both at home and abroad. They offer two centres in London where 'healing' groups/workshops take place: Wanstead E11 and Southwark, SE1.
Area served: Merseyside
Telephone: 0151 709 2994 Mobile: 07545 560 831
Website: www.ourlostloveyears.co.uk
O.L.L.Y supports children bereaved by homicide and culpable road death and also children from communities across Merseyside. We provide children and young people with a range of activities designed around their needs to re-gain the positive outlook in their lives and re-establish friendships while making new ones.
They also welcome children into their group who have not only lost a loved one from acts of violence, but also children who come from communities spread across Liverpool, Wirral and areas where there are high levels of unemployment, a high crime rate and gang culture. O.L.L.Y will always welcome children from all walks of life who wish to join in a wonderful group that is here to support via various activities that focus on their health and well-being.
Hours: 9-5pm
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0845 4500 355; Office: 020 7733 1603
Website: www.roadpeace.org
National charity for road crash victims.
As at June 2017 - RoadPeace has launched 2 new support services for road crash victims in Merseyside. They have introduced bi-monthly local support group meetings for families bereaved by road death and will also be running another 6 week trauma support group in the area. If you require any further information about these new services in Merseyside, please contact Belinda Rauli, Support Service Manager on 020 7733 1603.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 3230 096
Website: www.rlss.org.uk
Supports family and friends who have lost someone through drowning to fundraise, raise awareness and help prevent further tragedies.
This is still a relatively new service but they hope to provide practical support such as helping bereaved family members to instigate change in their community or legislatively, raise awareness within their communities to help prevent future drownings or set up a trust in their child's memory.
Area served: Scotland
Website: www.scid.org.uk
Services: Aims to provide practical and emotional support for families bereaved or victims injured by a road crash.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 652 3181 (Freephone)
Website: www.climb.org.uk
Services: Information and support for children, young people, adults and families. Work with professionals. Provide family service team.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00 - 16.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 808 3555 (Freephone); Office: 020 7608 8700
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
Services: Provides support and information for families with disabled children. Local family support.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.30 - 15.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 652 6352 (Freephone); Office: 020 7803 4800
Website: www.muscular-dystrophy.org
Services: Free care and support. Research.
Hours: Mon-Fri 08.30 - 18.00
Area served: National
Website: www.stepchange.org
Services: Free, impartial debt advice to anyone in the UK experiencing financial problems. Can advise any parents suffering financial hardship following the loss of a child eg bedroom tax issues, or withdrawal of benefits after the loss of a disabled child.
Area served: National
Telephone: 07955933097 or email mail@4louis.co.uk
Website: https://4louis.co.uk/
Services: Works to support anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth or other causes resulting in the loss of a baby or child. They also work to improve the care bereaved families receive from health care and other professionals.
Area served: National
Telephone: 01634 225145 or email: info@abigailsfootsteps.co.uk
Website: www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk
Services: A national charity helping families and healthcare professionals to cope better with stillbirth or neonatal death.
Telephone: email: aidanselephants@gmail.com
Website: www.aidanselephants.co.uk
Services: A charity which donates memory boxes, Receipt of Life Certificates and other memory keepsakes to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Yorkshire. Also offers national online support via its website and social media to anyone affected by the loss of a baby or young child of any gestation or age.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0207 713 7356
Website: https://www.arc-uk.org
Services: ARC offers non-directive information and support to parents before, during and after antenatal screening; when they are told their baby has an anomaly; when they are making difficult decisions about continuing with or ending a pregnancy, and when they are coping with complex and painful issues after making a decision, including bereavement.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 801 0322 (free helpline for advice and help); Office: 0207 378 1122 email: hello@bliss.org.uk
Website: www.bliss.org.uk
Services: Support and care for sick babies and their families. Also during pregnancy. Work alongside professionals too.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00 - 17.30
Area served: National
Website: www.brieflives-remembered.co.uk
Services: Supporting families when a baby or child dies. Specialises in tracing the resting place of babies who died many years ago.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 0288 840
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Services: Supporting families and educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Area served: Ireland
Telephone: 24 hour helpline 1850 391 391 or email support@firstlight.ie
Website: https://firstlight.ie
Services: A bereavement support service for parents and families anywhere in Ireland who experience the sudden loss of an infant or young child.
Area served: Gloucestershire
Telephone: 01452 308 618
Website: www.footstepsandc.org.uk
Services: A charity supporting anyone who has experienced pregnancy/infant loss at any time and any age in the Gloucestershire area.
Area served: East Midlands
Telephone: 0787 246 3856 or email: jo.sharp@foreverstars.org
Website: www.foreverstars.org
Services: Charity which helps to raise funds to provide resources that will help and support bereaved families following stillbirth or infant loss. The charity funds bereavement suites, training for midwives, counselling services for siblings affected by baby loss as well as providing support materials for families to use to help them cope with the loss of their baby or infant.
Area served: Cornwall
Website: www.forgetmenotcharity.org
Services: Support for bereaved parents in Cornwall who have experienced loss of a baby during pregnancy and birth.
Area served: Essex
Telephone: 07962265110 email: gracefulangels29@gmail.com
A group set up by bereaved mum, Catherine Patel in memory of her daughter, Grace who passed away at 10 months of age in 2014. Grace was a twin. Graceful Angels will support families through the loss of a twin or other multiple baby/child by offering a monthly meeting giving the opportunity for parents to meet with others in the same boat.
Meetings will take place on the 1st Sunday of the month 2-4pm at St Stephen's Church, Canterbury Road, Colchester.
This is not a TCF Support Group
Telephone: 02892 605578 or email helen@lifeafterloss.org.uk
Services: A charity supporting anyone affected by the loss of a baby. They provide support and information to those who have been through the death of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or early in life, for any reason.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 802 6868 (bereavement support); Office: 020 7802 3200; For information and advice 0808 802 6829
Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Services: Confidential support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young toddler. Support offered for families, friends, carers and professionals. Helpline, Befrienders, Online discussion forum, Family Days, In Memory Site.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00 Weekends and public holidays: 18.00-22.00
Telephone: 07791872115 or email: kelly@makingmiracles.org.uk
Services: Provides baby trauma support and bereavement care. This is achieved through professional counselling, support groups, a baby memorial garden, memorial bears and 'The Baby' book. They offer support to the whole family including grandparents and siblings.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 01924 200799; Office: 01924 200795
Website: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Services: Information and support for anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Area served: Support Groups currently in Aberdeen and surrounding area but online support is open to all
Telephone: 07702464874 or email: miscarriageinfosuppservice@gmail.com
Offers a support group for women and their partners who have suffered a miscarriage or baby loss. Group meets on a monthly basis in Aberdeen. Free of charge and confidential. Provides the opportunity to meet with other similarly bereaved parents.
Hoping to expand group support to other parts of Scotland. Private FB and What's App Groups and mobile phone service is open to members from all over the world.
Area served: Jersey
Telephone: 01534 631173 or email support@philipsfootprints.org
Website: https://www.philipsfootprints.org
Services: Philip's Footprints offer memory boxes to local families in Jersey who have sadly lost a baby or child from 12-14 weeks gestation to full term or neonatal loss and older children. They offer peer support and an annual remembrance service for families affected by the loss of a baby (any gestation) or child. They also fund antenatal training, equipment and information for pregnant women through Jersey Maternity to reduce the risk of stillbirths, premature births and complications at birth.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0808 1643332
Website: www.uk-sands.org
Services: Support for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth.
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0141 357 3946
Website: www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org
Services: Offers support and information for families who have suffered the sudden and unexpected loss of a child.
Area served: Scotland
Website: www.simbacharity.org.uk
SiMBA was founded by a team of dedicated individuals in October 2005 in response to the needs of those in Scotland affected by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or close to the time of birth. SiMBA is about memories and support.
They help bereaved parents to spend time with their baby following their death and also to gather precious items for a Memory Box which they provide.
They offer support groups across Scotland and a Facebook Group.
Area served: National
Website: www.tamba.org.uk/bereavement
Services: Supports all parents and carers of multiples who have experienced loss whether it was during pregnancy, at birth or at any point afterwards.
Area served: National
Website: www.foundationforinfantloss.co.uk
Services: An online service where parents bereaved of a baby or infant can find resources they may need in one place. Generally work with families who have lost a child up to the age of 2.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 400 1234 or email Liz@atlilyfoundation.org.uk
Services: A charity dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease. The charity's mission to support people whose lives are affected by the condition and to raise awareness and fund research into its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Area served: Coventry area
Telephone: 07853 969073 or email: info@lilymaefoundation.org
Website: https://www.lilymaefoundation.org
Services: Supports parents and families who have tragically and traumatically lost a baby to stillbirth or to neonatal death. Despite it's frequency, there is very little public perception of the devastating impact of such loss on their parents and families.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0845 293 8027 or email support@sayinggoodbye.org
Website: https://www.mariposatrust.org
Services: Works to support anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether the loss be recent or historic. Through its 6 support divisions, the Charity provides a range of support options as well as global services of remembrance at Cathedrals, Minsters and Abbeys called the 'Saying Goodbye' services.
Area served: Nottingham and surrounding areas
Telephone: 0115 924 9924 ext 66276 (Jackie Brown, Bereavement Facilitator)
Support offered to parents/bereaved families who have lost a baby/child or sibling of any age through
professional bereavement counselling; therapeutic writing and art workshops; specialist counselling for siblings affected by the death of a brother or sister; friendship and supportive conversation for anyone affected.
Zephyr's is a quiet, peaceful place for parents to meet hospital bereavement staff away from the clinical areas such as maternity units with all the difficult memories they may hold. And beyond our hospital staff, it is also open to GPs and other community health professionals who can use the centre as a meeting venue with bereaved parents.
Contact: Jackie Browne, Bereavement Facilitator Telephone:0115 9249924 ext 66276
E-mail jackie.browne@nuh.nhs.uk Website: Care Of Parents In Grief - (CoPinG)
Please leave a message on answering machine. Callers will be rung back asap.
Please let callers know support takes place in a hospital (helpful for parents to know especially if their child has died in a hospital environment).
Hours: Meetings take place 2nd Wednesday of each month
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 123 7015; Office: 020 8981 8001
Website: www.grandparentsplus.org.uk
Services: A national charity which champions the role of grandparents and the wider family in children’s lives – especially when they take on the caring role in difficult family circumstances, such as bereavement.
Area served: National
Telephone: 029 2081 0800
Website: www.careforthefamily.org.uk
Services: A Christian organisation, offering hope and comfort to those who have a lost a child of any age, in any circumstance and at any time following the death – through a telephone support network, events and a regular email newsletter.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0161 480 5156
Website: www.childrenofjannah.com
Services: Aim to meet the needs of grieving Muslims, providing practical, emotional and spiritual suport whilst educating friends, families, professionals and others to be able to better support them.
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10.00-14.00
Area served: National (but mainly in London and Home Counties)
Telephone: 020 8951 3881
Website: www.jbcs.org.uk
Services: A service dedicated to bereavement counselling for those in the Jewish Community.
Area served: National
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800585858
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Services: Support and campaigning organisation against male suicide.
Area served: National
Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Services: Search for a counsellor or psychotherapist near you (dedicated bereavement section)
Area served: National
Website: www.depressionuk.org
Services: A national self-help charity promoting mutual support between individuals affected by depression, through pen and phone friend schemes, Internet Chat, and newsletters.
Area served: National
Website: www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk
Services: A confidential website service that encourages those in need to seek help and to connect individuals with qualified hypnotherapists in the UK. They offer information about what hypnotherapy is, how it can help, articles written by practitioners including articles on PTSD and the latest hypnotherapy news. To ensure the professionalism of their website, all hypnotherapists have provided qualifications and insurance cover or proof of membership with a professional body.
Area served: Leicester, Derby and Coventry
Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk
The Laura Centre offers specialist bereavement counselling to parents whose child has died and to children or young people who have been bereaved of a parent or significant person.
Based in Leicester, with centres also in Derby and Coventry, the centre offers wide ranging individual and group support as well as a variety of alternative therapies. They have recently started working with the Zephyr Project offering counselling services at Nottingham City Hospital.
Area served: London
Website: www.bereavement.org.uk
Services: Counselling service for the the City and East London.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 123 3393; Office: 0208 519 2122
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Services: Information and advice on mental health issues. Legal advice. Local branches.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-18.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 08454 670 806
Website: www.NaturalTherapyForAll.com
Services: An online web directory listing complementary therapists such as counsnellors, hypnotherapists, acupuncturists etc who are based all over the UK. Each therapist has a profile stating what areas they specialise in, a bit about their background and their qualifications. All have a relevant qualification and insurance cover or proof of registration with a profession body. The site also has a wealth of information about various types of distress that complementary therapies can help.
Area served: National
Website: www.samaritans.org
Area served: Brighton and Hove (Sussex) but open to any siblings over 18 who wish to travel to their meetings
Website: Website: https://www.siblinglink.co.uk/
Sibling Link is a peer support group set up by two friends who have brothers with mental health issues. Sibling Link is open to any siblings over 18 with a brother or sister who has struggled with mental illness.
They offer an online platform where they offer comfort and advice for you and your loved one (not limited to siblings).They also organise ‘Walk and Talk’ meetings for siblings bereaved by suicide.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0800 4 70 80 90, 24 hours, every day. Office: 020 7224 2020 (Office hours: 9am-6pm, Mon to Fri)
Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk
Services: Free, confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.
Area served: Taunton and West Somerset
Telephone: 01823 334906
Website: www.mindtws.org.uk Email: bereaved@mindtws.org.uk
Services: The Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service at MIND in Taunton & West Somerset are setting up a monthly creative peer support group for young people (14 - 25) bereaved by suicide. MIND have a deep understanding of the issues facing young people after a suicide and would like to offer their experience and support to young people in a peer support environment. The group will have a 6 themed rolling monthly format. The facilitators will be experienced young people's suicide bereavement support workers and lived experience young people. Assessing if the young person is ready for the group will happen before joining. An explanation pack for the young person will be sent with a referral form to be signed by a care giver if appropriate.
Area served: National
Website: www.standalone.org.uk
Services: Stand Alone offers support services to prevent estranged adults becoming vulnerable. They talk openly about the experiences of family estrangement to help others to lead lives that are less isolated. They offer support groups, guides to coping in different estrangement situations, therapeutic workshops, research and advice on how to get through difficult times of the year such as Christmas. They offer specific support to students estranged from their families.
Area served: National
Telephone: Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Services: Information, advice & support for young people affected by mental health. Also supports and trains professionals, schools and parents about mental health issues affecting young people.
Area served: National
Telephone: 01480 276088
Website: www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk
Services: Provides financial support in England and Wales towards the cost of a funeral for parents bereaved of a child under 16.
Area served: Staffordshire
Telephone: 01543 449069
Website: www.violetsinbloom.org email: info@violetsinbloom.org
Services: Offers general bereavement support for bereaved parents including a retreat in Wales. Also provides financial support towards funeral/headstone costs for children under 16.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 111 2141 (Helpline)
Website: www.coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk
Services: This service offers information about the coroner’s court, the inquest itself, as well as offering practical and emotional support for those going through an inquest. Volunteers will support bereaved families at court on the day of the inquest.They also have a helpline offering support at an earlier stage of the inquest process.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 802 0925 (Freephone); Office: 020 7428 5400
Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk
Services: Information on financial and legal issues, childcare for single parent families. Local support groups. Regional organisations: One Parent Families Scotland. Gingerbread NI (Northern Ireland).
Hours: Mon 10.00 -18.00 Tues/Thurs/Fri 10.00-16.00 Wed 10.00-13.00/17.00-19.00
Area served: National
Telephone: Head office no: 01235 772850 or info@sudep.org Support (direct line): 01235 772 852 or support@sudep.org
Website: www.sudep.org
A charity dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy risks and tackling epilepsy death including sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy. They offer bereavement support, counselling, advocacy and legal help including understanding the inquest process. They also involve bereaved parents in research about deaths due to epilepsy.
Please note: SUDEP Action Scotland can be contacted at: 0131 516 7987
Area served: National
Website: www.foundationforinfantloss.co.uk
Services: An online service where parents bereaved of a baby or infant can find resources they may need in one place. Generally work with families who have lost a child up to the age of 2.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0345 123 2352; Office: 0208 688 9555
Website: www.avma.org.uk
Services: Free and confidential advice and support service for people affected by medical accidents.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00-15.30
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 808 0000
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Services: Practical, medical and financial support for those living with cancer. Also support for families and carers.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-20.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 8995 8503
Website: www.medicaladvisoryservice.org.uk
Services: Telephone professional advice and information on all aspects of medical and healthcare matters. Links to other helplines on website.
Hours: Mon-Fri 18.00-20.00
Area served: If U CARE SHARE
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Website: share@ifucareshare.co.uk
A charity set up by the siblings and other family members of a young man who took his own life. They provide emotional & practical support with three aims;
Prevention, intervention and support after suicide in Durham and Sunderland.
Website: https://www.ifucareshare.co.uk/support
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Email:share@ifucareshare.co.uk
Telephone: email: aidanselephants@gmail.com
Website: www.aidanselephants.co.uk
Services: A charity which donates memory boxes, Receipt of Life Certificates and other memory keepsakes to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Yorkshire. Also offers national online support via its website and social media to anyone affected by the loss of a baby or young child of any gestation or age.
Area served: All of Ireland
Telephone: 0035 3 (1) 4045378
Website: www.anamcara.ie email: info@anamcara.i.e
Services: An all Ireland organisation providing online and face to face peer support services for bereaved parents and siblings.
Area served: Exeter, Mid and East Devon
Telephone: 01392 826064
Website: www.balloonscharity.co.uk
Services: Balloons is a charity that provides support for children, young people and their families before an expected death, or following the death, of someone significant in their lives. They work across Exeter, Mid and East Devon, providing a dedicated phone line, one-to-one support with children and young people in the above areas.
Area served: Bristol
Telephone: 0117 987 6000
Services: Offer support for adults in Bristol who are bereaved as a result of drug and alcohol use. They can provide links to appropriate organisations who can support you around the loss of a loved one through alcohol or other drugs. Also offer free and confidential support to 11-19 year olds in the Bristol area.
Area served: Cambridgeshire
Telephone: 0333 4141809
Website: www.centre33.org.uk email: help@centre33.org.uk
Services: General counselling, support and information for young people aged under 25 across Cambridgeshire and Ely.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 0288 840
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Services: Supporting families and educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Services: For young people in danger or distress for any reason. Telephone and email counselling and support. Advice and information signposting.
Hours: 24 hours daily
Area served: Berkshire and Surrounding Area
Telephone: 0118 934 2604
Website: www.daisydrram.org.uk
Services: One to one support for bereaved children and families across Berkshire and Surrounding area. Also support where serious illness diagnosed or when facing bereavement.
Hours: M-F 09.30-17.00
Area served: North Staffordshire and Cheshire
Telephone: 01782 683 155
Website: www.thedoveservice.org.uk
Services: Support and counselling for anyone affected by bereavement and/or a life limited/changing illness across Staffordshire and Cheshire. Counsellors specialise in working with bereaved children, young people and families.
Area served: West Midlands/Staffordshire/Shropshire/Warwickshire/Worcestershire
Telephone: 0121 454 1705
Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk
Services: Holistic family bereavement services supporting children, young people and parents. Also anyone affected by the death of a child.
Hours: 09.00-17.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 800 2222
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Services: Confidential, free helpline service (previously known as Parentline). Offers information, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life.
Hours: Available 9 am - 9 pm, Monday - Friday and 10 am - 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Area served: East Midlands
Telephone: 0787 246 3856 or email: jo.sharp@foreverstars.org
Website: www.foreverstars.org
Services: Charity which helps to raise funds to provide resources that will help and support bereaved families following stillbirth or infant loss. The charity funds bereavement suites, training for midwives, counselling services for siblings affected by baby loss as well as providing support materials for families to use to help them cope with the loss of their baby or infant.
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 8371 8455 (Helpline)
Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
Services: Free Helpline, email support, specialist resources and family programme.
Hours: N/K
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk email: hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
Services: Bereavement support for young people.
Area served: Leicester, Derby and Coventry
Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk
The Laura Centre offers specialist bereavement counselling to parents whose child has died and to children or young people who have been bereaved of a parent or significant person.
Based in Leicester, with centres also in Derby and Coventry, the centre offers wide ranging individual and group support as well as a variety of alternative therapies. They have recently started working with the Zephyr Project offering counselling services at Nottingham City Hospital.
Area served: National
Website: https://letstalkaboutloss.org
A safe online space for young people 16 - 30 who have lost a loved one to share and talk through the taboos and address the reality of losing someone close when you are young.
The website has been set up by Beth who is 23 and who lost her mum when she was 20. Having lost someone close, Beth set up Let’s Talk about Loss to try and overcome the barriers of talking about losing a loved one.
Website: https://letstalkaboutloss.org/about/
The aim is to help young people who have lost a loved one feel less alone and less consumed by their grief.
Area served: Orpington, Kent
Telephone: 07734 009630
Website: www.livingon.org.uk
Services: Offers bereavement support to children, young people and families in Orpington, Kent, when someone they love has died.
Area served: National
Website: www.lonetwinnetwork.org.uk
Services: Support for surviving twin over age of 18 including support groups. Contact by post only. Small fee involved.
Hours: N/A
Area served: Liverpoool Area
Telephone: 0151 252 3145 or text 07566 225 253
Website: www.lovejasmine.org.uk Email: support@lovejasmine.org.uk
Services: A bereavement support charity offering support to bereaved families in the Liverpool area. Set up by a couple following the tragic loss of their daughter, Jasmine. Support offered through One to one counselling, Adult Groups, Family Group Work, Sibling Support Groups (for children between the ages of 4-11) and Coffee Mornings.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 - 3pm.
Area served: Norfolk
Telephone: 01603 431 788
Website: www.nelsonsjourney.org.uk email: enquiries@nelson'sjourney.org.uk
Services: Support for bereaved children and young people up to 18 across Norfolk. One to one, weekend camps. Also advice and information for professionals.
Hours: M-F 09.00-17.00
Area served: Glasgow and Surrounding Areas
Telephone: 0141 339 2366
Website: www.notredamecentre.org.uk
Services: Holistic programme of practical and emotional support (including bereavement support) for children up to the age of 18. NB: referrals from Education Sector/NHS/Social Workers/Psychologists. Charge for 'self-referral.
Hours: M-T 09.00-17.00 Fri 09.00-16.00
Area served: Merseyside
Telephone: 0151 709 2994 Mobile: 07545 560 831
Website: www.ourlostloveyears.co.uk
O.L.L.Y supports children bereaved by homicide and culpable road death and also children from communities across Merseyside. We provide children and young people with a range of activities designed around their needs to re-gain the positive outlook in their lives and re-establish friendships while making new ones.
They also welcome children into their group who have not only lost a loved one from acts of violence, but also children who come from communities spread across Liverpool, Wirral and areas where there are high levels of unemployment, a high crime rate and gang culture. O.L.L.Y will always welcome children from all walks of life who wish to join in a wonderful group that is here to support via various activities that focus on their health and well-being.
Hours: 9-5pm
Area served: National
Telephone: HOPEline: 0800 068 41 41; Office: 01292 432 555
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Services: Papyrus' helpline: HOPELineUK is a specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 who are worried about how they are feeling, or anyone who is concerned about a young person.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
Area served: Cornwall
Telephone: 01209 210624 or 01209 215889
Website: www.penhaligons.friends.org.uk
Services: Cornish charity supporting bereaved children and young people throughout the County. Offers the opportunity to meet others and share experiences. Also offers practical resources.
Hours: N/K
Area served: Bristol and South West
Telephone: 0117 985 3343
Website: www.rainbowcentre.org.uk email: contact@rainbowcentre.org.uk
Services: Free professional support for children and their families affected by bereavement or life threatening illness.
Hours: M-F 10.00-16.00
Area served: Oxfordshire
Telephone: 01865 744 768
Website: www.seesaw.org.uk
Services: Bereavement support for children up to 18. One to one and group support. Also training for teachers and other professionals supporting children.
Hours: M-F 08.30-16.30
Area served: Hampshire
Telephone: 023 8064 7550
Website: www.simonsays.org.uk
Services: Bereavement support for children and their families. Also support and training to schools. Support groups in Hampshire and a specific teenage group (11-18 years)
Hours: Answering machine service
Area served: North and South London
Telephone: 07532 423 674 or Message info@slowgroup.co.uk
Website: www.slowgroup.co.uk
A charity run by bereaved parents for other bereaved parents. Support groups for bereaved parents are held in North London, daytime and evening (Tufnell Park). As of June 2018, New South London (Streatham) daytime support group. Meetings in Streatham will be held weekly on Tuesday mornings (term time only) from 11 am - 12 30 pm (for further info about Streatham groups, please contact Michelle on 07908 937722)
Also as of June 2018, will be running creative workshops on a quarterly basis where bereaved siblings (aged 6-14) can meet to explore feelings, develop their creative skills and commemorate their sibling. Contact: Nic 07532 423 674.
Area served: Taunton and West Somerset
Telephone: 01823 334906
Website: www.mindtws.org.uk Email: bereaved@mindtws.org.uk
Services: The Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service at MIND in Taunton & West Somerset are setting up a monthly creative peer support group for young people (14 - 25) bereaved by suicide. MIND have a deep understanding of the issues facing young people after a suicide and would like to offer their experience and support to young people in a peer support environment. The group will have a 6 themed rolling monthly format. The facilitators will be experienced young people's suicide bereavement support workers and lived experience young people. Assessing if the young person is ready for the group will happen before joining. An explanation pack for the young person will be sent with a referral form to be signed by a care giver if appropriate.
Area served: National
Website: www.standalone.org.uk
Services: Stand Alone offers support services to prevent estranged adults becoming vulnerable. They talk openly about the experiences of family estrangement to help others to lead lives that are less isolated. They offer support groups, guides to coping in different estrangement situations, therapeutic workshops, research and advice on how to get through difficult times of the year such as Christmas. They offer specific support to students estranged from their families.
Area served: Falkirk and surrounding area
Telephone: 01324 826222
Website: www.strathcarronhospice.net
Services: Offers a range of palliative and post bereavement support for adults. Strathcarron also runs support groups for children aged 6 – 18 when they have been affected by loss, grief and change because someone who is special to them has died. It is based upon the belief that loss, grief and change are a natural part of life and it aims to educate and support the children by offering a means of understanding through looking at the seasons of the year. The changing seasons can be used to illustrate and explain how they might be feeling and how they might learn to manage these feelings.
Area served: National
Website: http://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/
Services: A network of organisations offering a whole range of practical and emotional support and signposting for anyone who has been affected by the loss of someone who has died by suicide.
Area served: National
Website: www.bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk/
A charity ( Nick and Donna Hodges are bereaved parents who have lost their son, Bodie and have a surviving daughter) providing memory bags containing grief resources, free of charge to families to support sibling grief. There is a memory bag for bereaved siblings aged 12 and under and one for those aged 13 and over. The bags aim to
Explain how we grieve and to support an understanding of how we might feel when someone dies
Encourage children and young people to share their thoughts, feelings and worries
Books to encourage understanding of grief
A treasure chest to store those precious memories
Art resources to encourage creativity
Please contact Donna: donna.hodges@bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk. if you would like to know more or to be sent a memory bag for a bereaved sibling.
Area served: London and Oxford
Website: www.thelossfoundation.org
A charity offering in-person support following the loss of a loved one to cancer. Support is offered in London and Oxford in the form of bereavement support groups and other supportive social events. They also provide an array of bereavement information on their website to support those that fall out of their support group catchment area.
All of their services were created in response to the needs that their users have spoken about. As a result they run a variety of different supportive events, from general cancer bereavement support groups, specific support for bereaved parents and sibling to themed support groups to social events, weekend retreats, and more. Upcoming events: March 2019 - bereaved parents support group in South Central London and sibling support group meeting in South Central London in May 2019
Area served: Hampshire
Website: www.theredlipstickfoundation.org
Services: The Red Lipstick Foundation exists to offer services to families in Hampshire who have been bereaved by suicide or immediate family members following a person’s sudden death. Their services include: counselling, befriending, practical and emotional support, support groups, holistic therapies, media management and emergency financial assistance.
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0141 584 3211
Website: www.touchedbysuicidescotland.org
Services: A self help organisation in Scotland which exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. They run groups in Scotland.
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0345 603 9213 Helpline M - Friday 8 am - 8 pm
Website: www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Services: Provides emotional support, practical help and essential information to victims, witnesses, bereaved relatives and young people attending court, as well as others affected by crime in Scotland.
Area served: National
Telephone: 01242 515 157. Freephone Helpline 08088 020 021
Website: www.winstonswish.org
Services: Offers practical support and guidance to bereaved children (3-18 years) and their families. Also practical support and guidance for those supporting a child who is bereaved at any age up to 18.
Hours: M-F 09.00-17.00 & Wed 19.00-21.30
Area served: National
Telephone: Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Services: Information, advice & support for young people affected by mental health. Also supports and trains professionals, schools and parents about mental health issues affecting young people.
Area served: Nottingham and surrounding areas
Telephone: 0115 924 9924 ext 66276 (Jackie Brown, Bereavement Facilitator)
Support offered to parents/bereaved families who have lost a baby/child or sibling of any age through
professional bereavement counselling; therapeutic writing and art workshops; specialist counselling for siblings affected by the death of a brother or sister; friendship and supportive conversation for anyone affected.
Zephyr's is a quiet, peaceful place for parents to meet hospital bereavement staff away from the clinical areas such as maternity units with all the difficult memories they may hold. And beyond our hospital staff, it is also open to GPs and other community health professionals who can use the centre as a meeting venue with bereaved parents.
Contact: Jackie Browne, Bereavement Facilitator Telephone:0115 9249924 ext 66276
E-mail jackie.browne@nuh.nhs.uk Website: Care Of Parents In Grief - (CoPinG)
Please leave a message on answering machine. Callers will be rung back asap.
Please let callers know support takes place in a hospital (helpful for parents to know especially if their child has died in a hospital environment).
Hours: Meetings take place 2nd Wednesday of each month
Area served: National
Telephone: 0303 303 0303 General Enquiries
Website: www.anthonynolan.org
A national charity offering support, advice and information to people with blood cancer and their families.
They match individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people who desperately need lifesaving transplants.
They have recently produced a booklet called Bereavement & Stem Cell Transplant is one of their many publications which you can download from their website https://www.anthonynolan.org/patients-and-families/order-or-download-publications
Area served: National
Website: www.ataloss.org
Services: A one stop shop website for finding appropriate bereavement support
Area served: Bristol
Telephone: 0117 987 6000
Services: Offer support for adults in Bristol who are bereaved as a result of drug and alcohol use. They can provide links to appropriate organisations who can support you around the loss of a loved one through alcohol or other drugs. Also offer free and confidential support to 11-19 year olds in the Bristol area.
Area served: Romsey (Hampshire), Selsey (West Sussex) and Bournemouth (Dorset)
Telephone: info@butterfliesbereavement.co.uk
Website: www.butterfliesbereavement.co.uk
Offers a bereavement counselling service on a donation basis in three areas, Romsey, Selsey and Bournemouth. Also offer pre-bereavement support. They have launched a new Suicide Prevention and Support Project that will look at ways of supporting those who struggle with life's issues and provide the chance to talk to others at the time of need and hopefully save lives.
They also have a Suicide Support Group on the 4th Wednesday of the month in Romsey (Hampshire) from 7-8pm for those people who have lost someone through Suicide and to learn from the experiences of others, make friends and gain help and support from our team of listeners.
Following feedback from their users, they have created a walk in the park session that takes place on the 1st Sunday of the Month
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0808 808 167; Office: 020 8939 9530
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Services: Support after the death of someone close.
Area served: Based in Cowdenbeath Scotland and supports people in Fife and surrounding areas
Telephone: 01383 610007; 07716 018 785
Website: www.curlystar.org
Services: A charity which supports family, friends and anyone affected by bereavement, particularly suicide in young people.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 802 0925 (Freephone); Office: 020 7428 5400
Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk
Services: Information on financial and legal issues, childcare for single parent families. Local support groups. Regional organisations: One Parent Families Scotland. Gingerbread NI (Northern Ireland).
Hours: Mon 10.00 -18.00 Tues/Thurs/Fri 10.00-16.00 Wed 10.00-13.00/17.00-19.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 075419 77152 or email: enquiries@nctuk.uk
Website: www.nctuk.co.uk
Services: Provision of treatment and support for serving Armed Forces and former serving personnel with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and associated medical conditions and their family
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0800 435 455 (if line is engaged, please ring 0800 9177 416
Website: www.bereavement-trust.org.uk
The Bereavement Trust offers a National Freephone Helpline for anyone who has been bereaved, operating every evening of the week, without exception.
In collaboration with District Councils, they also help establish Children's Gardens in cemeteries as well as co-operating with other organisations, individuals and the media on a variety of bereavement-related initiatives.
Hours: Every evening from 6 - 10pm
Area served: National
Website: https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/
Services: A charity offering help and hope in one online website. It is run by the bereaved for the bereaved. They try to guide you in the right direction for the support you need when you have been bereaved. This is offered through practical help and tips, support organisations and things to consider when you are bereaved.
Area served: London and Oxford
Website: www.thelossfoundation.org
A charity offering in-person support following the loss of a loved one to cancer. Support is offered in London and Oxford in the form of bereavement support groups and other supportive social events. They also provide an array of bereavement information on their website to support those that fall out of their support group catchment area.
All of their services were created in response to the needs that their users have spoken about. As a result they run a variety of different supportive events, from general cancer bereavement support groups, specific support for bereaved parents and sibling to themed support groups to social events, weekend retreats, and more. Upcoming events: March 2019 - bereaved parents support group in South Central London and sibling support group meeting in South Central London in May 2019
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0345 603 9213 Helpline M - Friday 8 am - 8 pm
Website: www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Services: Provides emotional support, practical help and essential information to victims, witnesses, bereaved relatives and young people attending court, as well as others affected by crime in Scotland.
Area served: National
Website: www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
Services: Peer to peer support for men and women aged 50 or under when their partner died.
Area served: National
Website: www.widowedinneed.co.uk
Services: Small charity created by a group of widowed people with the aim of supporting widows and widowers in financial distress. Support is offered through grants.
Area served: National
Website: www.stepchange.org
Services: Free, impartial debt advice to anyone in the UK experiencing financial problems. Can advise any parents suffering financial hardship following the loss of a child eg bedroom tax issues, or withdrawal of benefits after the loss of a disabled child.
Area served: National
Website: https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/
Services: A charity offering help and hope in one online website. It is run by the bereaved for the bereaved. They try to guide you in the right direction for the support you need when you have been bereaved. This is offered through practical help and tips, support organisations and things to consider when you are bereaved.
Area served: Hampshire
Website: www.theredlipstickfoundation.org
Services: The Red Lipstick Foundation exists to offer services to families in Hampshire who have been bereaved by suicide or immediate family members following a person’s sudden death. Their services include: counselling, befriending, practical and emotional support, support groups, holistic therapies, media management and emergency financial assistance.
Area served: National
Website: www.widowedinneed.co.uk
Services: Small charity created by a group of widowed people with the aim of supporting widows and widowers in financial distress. Support is offered through grants.
Area served: National
Telephone: Support: 0808 8088100; Office: 0117 916 6422
Website: www.act.org.uk
Services: Support and information for families where child (up to age of 24 years) has a life threatening or shortening condition. Work with professionals involved in care.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0800 096 6606
Website: www.bluecross.org.uk
Services: Pet bereavement support.
Area served: National
Website: www.donorfamilynetwork.co.uk
Services: A national charity providing awareness of organ donation and support for donor families.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 802 0925 (Freephone); Office: 020 7428 5400
Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk
Services: Information on financial and legal issues, childcare for single parent families. Local support groups. Regional organisations: One Parent Families Scotland. Gingerbread NI (Northern Ireland).
Hours: Mon 10.00 -18.00 Tues/Thurs/Fri 10.00-16.00 Wed 10.00-13.00/17.00-19.00
Area served: National
Website: www.memorialsbyartists.co.uk
Services: Helps bereaved families to create unique and sensitively designed memorials for babies, children and young adults.
Area served: National
Website: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Services: Free and impartial money advice, set up by government. Support in person, over the phone or online.
Area served: National
Website: www.muchloved.com
Services: To create a memorial website for your loved one.
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 330 0700
Website: www.nct.org.uk
Services: Support and information through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Local branches.
Hours: Mon-Fri 08.00 - midnight except bank holidays
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 8940 2575
Website: www.reactcharity.org
Services: Support and improve quality of life of children and young people with potential terminal illness, especially if financial hardship. Holiday homes.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 100 1234
Website: www.relate.org.uk
Services: Counselling for relationship issues-couples, families, young people. Live chat facility available.
Hours: Mon-Thur 08.00-22.00 Fri: 08.00-18.00 Sat 09.00-17.00
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline: 0808 800 0029; General no: 0800 389 6255
Website: www.sepsistrust.org.uk
Services: Support for anyone affected by sepsis. For whatever reason you have been affected, the UK Sepsis Trust support team is there to help you. You can contact them by email or phone and speak to one of their trained sepsis support nurses who can offer support and advice.
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0800 4 70 80 90, 24 hours, every day. Office: 020 7224 2020 (Office hours: 9am-6pm, Mon to Fri)
Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk
Services: Free, confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.
There are TCF groups in many countries around the world although not all have websites at present. If the country you are looking for is not listed, please contact our International Liaison Officer who will be able to help you.
AUSTRALIA
BELGIUM
Email: tcf.belgium@skynet.be (English speaking)
CANADA
FRANCE
GERMANY
LUXEMBOURG
Email: schonmariejeanne@gmail.com
NETHERLANDS
PHILIPPINES
SOUTH AFRICA
SWITZERLAND
TCF Switzerland (English speaking)
Email: scherrer_franziska@yahoo.com
USA
Each year thousands of parents suffer the loss of a son or a daughter. Please help us to support families in their time of greatest need.
