Other helpful organisations
Support for bereaved children and young people
2Wish
Area served: Wales
Telephone: 01443 853125
Website: www.2wish.org.uk
2wish support anyone affected by the death of a child or young adult who has died suddenly or unexpectedly. A child is someone under the age of 18 and a young adult is aged 25 years and under. The child or young person who has died must be Welsh, must have resided in Wales or the death must have occurred in Wales.
info@2wish.org.uk
A Child of Mine
Area served: Staffordshire
Telephone: 07803 751229
Website: www.achildofmine.org.uk
Provides confidential emotional support, information, guidance and a listening ear to any family who has lost a child at any age or gestation, and from any circumstances. 1 to 1 emotional support, group sessions, days out and small financial grants to parents and families across Staffordshire. Groups are also provided for both younger and older bereaved children who have lost a sibling. They can offer telephone and email emotional support to families outside of Staffordshire, and signposting to other local organisations and charities.
hello@achildofmine.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9-5
Aidan's Elephants
Area served: National
Website: www.aidanselephants.co.uk
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. Will signpost bereaved parents to other organisations where necessary.
aidanselephants@gmail.com
Anam Cara Northern Ireland
Area served: Northern Ireland
Telephone: 028 9521 3120
Website: www.anamcarani.co.uk
An organisation in Northern Ireland providing online, 1 to 1 support calls and face to face peer support services for bereaved parents and siblings.
info@anamcarani.co.uk
Balloons Charity
Area served: Exeter, Mid and East Devon
Telephone: 01392 826065
Website: www.balloonscharity.co.uk
Balloons is a charity that provides support for pre-bereaved and post-bereaved children, young people and their families in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. They provide a dedicated phone line, one-to-one support with children and young people in a safe environment.
admin@balloonscharity.co.uk
Bristol Drugs Project (BDP)
Area served: Bristol
Telephone: 0117 987 6000
Website: www.bdp.org.uk
Bristol drug project is a free drug and alcohol support offering a range of services. They are open and inclusive and have designed a range of support options for women, children and young people, older people, students, veterans, men and LGBT+.
info@bdp.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9-5
Centre 33
Area served: Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas
Telephone: 0333 414 1809
Website: www.centre33.org.uk
Centre 33 aims to help every young person fulfil their potential. They aim to relieve and prevent suffering caused by mental or physical ill health, or by financial hardship, or need caused by other reasons, through the provision of counselling, information and other services to support young people aged 25 and under in the City of Cambridge, the County of Cambridgeshire, the City of Peterborough and surrounding areas.
hello@centre33.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK (CBUK)
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 02 888 40
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Supporting children, young people, parents, and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. They also educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
helpline@childbereavementuk.org
Childline
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Services: Childline helps anyone under the age of 19 in the UK with any issue they are going through. They can talk about anything and can have counselling and bereavement support available. Telephone, email or 1-2-1 counsellor chats are available. Each person must set up an account to have private access to all.
Hours: 24 hours daily
Cruse Bereavement Care NI
Area served: Northern Ireland
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/local-services/northern-ireland
Part of the national organisation CRUSE, that has a Northern Ireland support. Seven different areas are covered offering phone and email support for bereaved families.
helpline@cruse.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0808 802 6161
Website: www.crusescotland.org
Cruse Scotland is the nation's expert in bereavement counselling, listening services, information, advice and training. They aim to create a compassionate country where grief is properly discussed, understood and supported. Their people are mainly counselling and helpline volunteers, supported by a small staff team. Helpline, face to face support, information, support groups and webchat.
helpline@cruse.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm
Daisy's Dream
Area served: Berkshire and Cheshire East
Telephone: 0118 934 2604
Website: www.daisysdream.org.uk
One to one support for bereaved children and families across Berkshire and Cheshire East. Also support where serious illness diagnosed or when facing bereavement. This can be through telephone, email and group support.
info@daisysdream.org.uk
Edward's Trust
Area served: West Midlands
Telephone: 0121 454 1705
Website: www.edwardstrust.org.uk
Edward’s Trust offer a holistic approach to supporting people through bereavement and loss. They offer counselling (1 to 1 or as a couple) support groups, play therapy, wellbeing therapies and social events. They are also able to offer support to parents bereaved, or about to be bereaved, of their son or daughter – whatever the age of their child or cause of death. Children and young people aged between 4 – 24 years who are bereaved, or are about to be bereaved, of a parent, grandparent, significant carer, sibling or friend.
admin@edwardstrust.org.uk
Falkirk Trinity Church Seasons for Growth Bereavement Support
Area served: Falkirk and surrounding Forth Valley
Telephone: 01324 611 017
Website: www.falkirktrinity.org.uk/adult-seasons-for-growth-bereavement-support
The groups are open to anyone in the community who has experienced the death of someone close to them, whether recently or some time ago. They aim to help participants develop the skills and knowledge to understand and manage their grief.
bereavementsupport@falkirktrinity.org.uk
Family Lives
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 800 2222
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Family lives (previously known as Parentline) offers confidential, free, helpline services either by telephone or live online chat. They also offer information, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life including bullying, special educational needs and support for specific communities.
askus@familylives.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 1.30pm to 9pm
Forever Stars
Area served: East Midlands
Telephone: 0787 246 3856
Website: www.foreverstars.org
An East Midlands charity dedicated to supporting families who have suffered a 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 and a remembrance garden.
jo.sharp@foreverstars.org
Grief Encounter
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 802 0111
Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
Grief encounter have been providing free, professional and specialist bereavement support services to ensure children and young people access the best possible support following the death of someone close. Counselling, workshops, music/art/drama therapy, residential events, and a helpline via phone/email and live chat.
grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm
Guy's Gift
Website: https://www.guysgift.co.uk/
Services: Guy’s Gift provides bereavement support for children, young people and their families across Coventry and Warwickshire. Support is offered either one to one or in a group. Also offers support and information to schools and families
Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service Counselling (HBBS)
Area served: Essex
Telephone: 01277 283199
Website: www.hbbscounselling.org
HBBS is a local 'not for profit' organisation offering a professional and confidential counselling service to local adults, young people and children. Although the work was primarily addressing issues relating to bereavement they now offer generic counselling to support people. Havering, Brentwood and now extends to Billericay, Wickford, Laindon, Pitsea and Basildon.
enquiries@hbbscounselling.org
Hope Again
Area served: National
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support. It is a safe place where they can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone. Here they will find information about services, a listening ear from other young people and advice for any young person dealing with the loss of a loved one.
hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
How to speak to a child about death and dying
Services: This is a handy page of information and examples of how to talk to children about death and funerals.
Kaleidoscope Plus
Area served: National
Telephone: 0121 565 5605
Website: www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk
24 hour text crisis support, suicide prevention services, bereavement support, counselling in the community, mental health services for children and activity groups within the community aimed at promoting inclusion, support, recovery, wellness and self-care.
info@kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk
Let's Talk About Loss
Area served: National
Website: www.letstalkaboutloss.org
Let's talk about loss is a safe space to talk through taboos and address the reality of losing someone close to you when you are young. They run meet ups across the UK for young people aged between 18 and 35 encouraging everyone to talk about grief.
hello@letstalkaboutloss.org
Living On
Area served: BR6 postcode
Telephone: 07808 527 677 or 07759 697 223
Website: www.livingon.org.uk
Living on is a bereavement service supporting children their families in the BR6 postcode area. They have a range of services available to support.
admin@livingon.org.uk
Lone Twin Network
Area served: National
Website: www.lonetwinnetwork.org.uk
The Lone Twin Network is a voluntary support group run by and for twin less twins, over the age of 18, whose loss has occurred at or around birth, in childhood or during adulthood. Offering support through meetings and personal contact to people through the UK.
Contact online via blog posts.
Love, Jasmine
Area served: Merseyside
Telephone: 0151 459 4779
Website: www.lovejasmine.org.uk
A bereavement support charity offering support to bereaved families in the Merseyside area. 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.
enquiries@lovejasmine.org.uk
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09.30 - 17.00
Meic Helpline
Area served: Wales
Website: https://www.meiccymru.org/
Services: Meic is the information, advice and advocacy service for children and young people in Wales aged 0-25. Meic is a bilingual service that can be contacted, confidentially and free, by phone (08088023456), text (84001) or online chat through their website. They operate between 8am and midnight every single day of the year.
Mosaic Family Support Child Bereavement Charity
Area served: Dorset
Telephone: 01258 837 071
Website: www.mosaicfamilysupport.org
Mosaic is a Dorset wide charity offering a pathway of support to bereaved children, young people and their families. They also work with young people who are facing the death of a loved one. Mosaic provides individual, family and group support. Every child has the opportunity to attend our residential weekend programme where they can meet others and share their experiences.
info@mosaicfamilysupport.org
Muslim Youth Helpline
Telephone: 0808 808 2008
Website: https://myh.org.uk/
Provides free, confidential, and culturally sensitive support for young Muslims through a Helpline service. Support via Online Chat, Email, and WhatsApp services are also available.
Online chat: https://myh.org.uk/how-we-can-help/chat-with-us/
Email: help@myh.org.uk
WhatsApp: 0808 808 2008
Hours: Helpline hours: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, 365 days a year.
Nelson's Journey
Area served: Norfolk
Telephone: 01603 431 788
Website: www.nelsonsjourney.org.uk
Nelson's Journey supports children and young people in Norfolk who've experienced the death of a significant person. Offering support through a variety of methods, referral in the first instance (by families or professionals).
enquiries@nelsonsjourney.org.uk
Notre Dame Centre
Area served: Glasgow and Surrounding Areas
Telephone: 0141 339 2366
Website: www.notredamecentre.org.uk
Using a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches, they provide a service to vulnerable children and their families. They also offer the seasons for growth programme which is a loss and grief support for children aged 6-18.
info@notredamecentre.org.uk
Our Lost Love Years (OLLY)
Area served: Merseyside, Wirral and Southport
Telephone: 0151 709 2994
Website: www.ourlostloveyears.co.uk
Our Lost Love Years (O.L.L.Y Children's Charity) supports children bereaved from 4 - 16 years of age from Merseyside, Wirral and Southport. The children are supported from a wide range of activities and help them to deal with their feelings and emotions.
jeantaylor@familiesfightingforjustice.com
PAPYRUS
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 068 4141
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
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.
pat@papyrus-uk.org
northernireland@papyrus-uk.org (for Northern Ireland)
Hours: Daily from 9am to Midnight
Penhaligon's Friends
Area served: Cornwall
Telephone: 01209 210 624
Website: www.penhaligonsfriends.org.uk
Cornish charity supporting bereaved children and young people throughout the county. Offers the opportunity to meet others and share experiences. Also offers practical resources.
enquiries@penhaligonsfriends.org.uk
Platfform Wellbeing (Breathe UK)
Area served: National services are remote. Face-to-face services available in Cardiff and Swansea.
Telephone: 02920 440 191
Website: https://platfformwellbeing.com
Services include remote counselling and face-to-face counselling available in Cardiff and Swansea. Open to individuals, couples and children over the age of 7. Low cost service available for unwaged people seeking counselling.
Email address: hello@platfformwellbeing.com
PRISM Community Bereavement Service
Area served: Telford, Wrekin & Shropshire
Telephone: 01952 977 163
Website: www.prismcommunityservices.org.uk
They offer peer support, a listening ear, guidance and support for adults, children and young people. For people in Telford, Wrekin and Shropshire areas.
prismtelford@gmail.com
Reubens Retreat
Area served: National
Telephone: 01457 680 003
Website: www.reubensretreat.org
Reuben’s Retreat is a home-from-home for families bereaved of a child and for children with life limiting or threatening conditions and their parents and siblings. They walk side-by-side with individuals to whole families so they are not alone, providing support that is specific to their needs including therapeutic activities, counselling, drop-in and peer support groups, plus fun times, memory making and short breaks.
enquiries@reubensretreat.org.uk
See Saw Oxfordshire
Area served: Oxfordshire
Telephone: 01865 744 768
Website: www.seesaw.org.uk
SeeSaw provides support for children, young people and their families in Oxfordshire when they have been bereaved or when somebody close to them is terminally ill.
info@seesaw.org.uk
Shining a Light on Suicide
Area served: Greater Manchester
Telephone: 0161 989 0902
Website: www.shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk
They are bringing suicide out of the dark in Greater Manchester because it affects everyone. Whether you’re feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, people are not alone. Information, help and signposting to local support.
salccg.gm.bs@nhs.net
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9-5
Sibling Grief Club
Website: https://siblinggriefclub.com/
Services: The purpose of Sibling Grief Club is to connect bereaved adult siblings with the sole intention of lending comfort and support to one another so that we learn to live again within the broken circle that is now our family.
Sibling Support
Website: https://www.siblingsupport.co.uk/
Online support with guidance and content for young people who have lost a sibling
hello@siblingsupport.co.uk
Simon Says
Area served: Hampshire
Telephone: 023 8064 7550
Website: www.simonsays.org.uk
Simon Says is a child bereavement support aiming to support Hampshire children and young people up to the age of 18 years who have a significant person in their life who has died or is dying.
info@simonsays.org.uk
Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service
Area served: Somerset
Telephone: 0300 330 5463 (24 hours)
Website: www.mindinsomerset.org.uk/our-services/somerset-suicide-bereavement-support-service
Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service is for anyone bereaved by suicide in Somerset. They offer emotional support as well as guidance through the trauma of sorting out personal affairs. The service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
info@mindinsomerset.org.uk
Somewhere For Us
Area served: Northern Ireland
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk/somewhere-for-us-project
The ‘Somewhere For Us’ project has been created to bring young people together in NI after the death of a loved one. The project aims to form connections and lasting communities between those who have been bereaved through the Youth Advisory Group (YAG). Somewhere for us is part of CRUSE.
eleanor.ellerslie@cruse.org.uk
Stand Alone
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 7407 9500
Website: www.standalone.org.uk
Stand Alone is a charity supporting people that are estranged from their family or children. They work to prevent estranged adults becoming vulnerable. Support groups as well as practical advice and guides.
contact@standalone.org.uk
Strathcarron Hospice
Area served: Falkirk and surrounding area
Telephone: 01324 827 383
Website: www.strathcarronhospice.net
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.
patient-care@strathcarronhospice.net
Student Grief Network
Area served: National
Website: https://studentgriefnetwork.co.uk/
The Student Grief Network aims to soften the impact of bereavement in universities across the UK by raising awareness and creating a range of avenues for support - from online resources and staff training to creative projects and events. SGN is led by students and recent graduates who have all had first-hand experience of loss. At the heart of their work is the belief that managing grief at university does not have to be as overwhelming or lonely as many students find it. They address the difficulties and emotional pain of bereavement while also making space for connection, creativity, and empowerment.
hello@studentgriefnetwork.co.uk
Suicide Bereavement UK
Area served: National
Telephone: 01706 327859
Website: https://suicidebereavementuk.com/
SBUK’s aim is to improve the care of those bereaved or affected by suicide and to help reduce the stigma that surrounds suicide bereavement. This is achieved by educating professionals, conducting independent research and informing policy and practice. They develop and deliver suicide bereavement training and host an annual international conference on suicide bereavement. The team includes practitioners, people with lived experience and researchers.
Email: admin@suicidebereavementuk.com
Sunrise Partnership
Area served: Aberdeenshire
Telephone: 07827 755735
Website: www.sunrisepartnership.org
Offers a range support for children / young people up to 18 years who have experienced bereavement or significant loss in 1:1 sessions and group work. Can help with any bereaved siblings under 18.
support@sunrisepartnership.org
Support after Suicide Partnership (SASP)
Area served: National
Website: www.supportaftersuicide.org.uk
Services: The Support After Suicide Partnership brings together suicide bereavement organisations and people with lived experience, to achieve a vision that everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support. Signposts to other specific organisations, local or due to circumstances.
Surviving the loss of your world (SLOW)
Area served: London
Telephone: 07532 423 674
Website: www.slowgroup.co.uk
They support bereaved parents and siblings with peer support, from other bereaved parents and siblings and share experiences. They are currently running face to face bereaved parent support groups, both weekly and monthly, in London. They are also offering support groups virtually via Zoom for bereaved parents and adult siblings across the UK. All groups run during school term times.
info@slowgroup.co.uk
Team Jak
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 01506 412302
Website: www.teamjak.org.uk
They offer practical, social, and emotional support to children and young people aged 0-25 with cancer and related illnesses, their family, friends and those bereaved. Hospital visits, activities for families, angel days to sibling support.
info@teamjak.org.uk
The Alder Centre
Area served: Liverpool and surrounding area
Telephone: 0151 252 5391
Website: www.aldercentre.org.uk
The Alder Centre is a place like no other, providing bereavement care and education for anyone affected by the death of a child of any age. They provide a variety of free, confidential services to people bereaved through child loss. Counselling, befriending, therapeutic breaks and holistic therapies are available.
alder.centre@alderhey.nhs.uk
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
The Bodie Hodges Foundation Bereavement Support Service
Area served: Leicestershire and Rutland
Telephone: 0116 2436 367 ext 302
Website: www.bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk/bereavement-support-service
Bodies bereavement service supports parents and children in the first year after the child has died. They support the whole family, including siblings as well as blended families.
nicola@bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk or call 07483 347 008
The Dove Service
Area served: Stoke on Trent & North Staffordshire
Telephone: 01782 683 155
Website: www.thedoveservice.org.uk
Support and counselling for anyone within the community in Stoke on Trent & North Staffordshire from the age of 4+ who are experiencing issues relating to bereavement, loss or life-changing illness. Counsellors specialise in working with bereaved children, young people and families.
enquiries@thedoveservice.org.uk
The Laura Centre
Area served: Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Coventry
Telephone: 0116 2544341
Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk
The Laura Centre is a friendly and easily accessible service, providing professional holistic support to bereaved families. They support parents who have lost children and children who have lost a parent. The service is free of charge. A death in the family of a child or parent, is a devastating and traumatic loss. 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.
info@thelauracentre.org.uk
The Loss Foundation
Area served: London
Telephone: 0300 200 4112
Website: www.thelossfoundation.org
A charity offering in-person support following the loss of a loved one to cancer and COVID. Support is offered in London 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.
hello@thelossfoundation.org
Together for Short Lives
Area served: National
Telephone: Helpline 0808 8088100
Website: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Together for Short Lives is the UK charity that is there to make sure that seriously ill children and their families can make the most of every moment they have together. Offering confidential emotional support and information so that families spend less time searching for information and more time together. Together for Short Lives was formed after the merger of ACT and Children's Hospices UK.
helpline@togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Touched by Suicide (Scotland)
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0141 584 3211
Website: www.touchedbysuicidescotland.org
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.
touchedbysuicidescotland@hotmail.co.uk
Victim Support England & Wales
Area served: England and Wales
Telephone: 0808 168 9111
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Services: Free and confidential support for anyone affected by crime. They also have a specific support for families bereaved by crime.
Victim Support Northern Ireland
Area served: Northern Ireland
Telephone: 028 9024 3133
Website: www.victimsupportni.com
Services: Free and confidential support for anyone affected by crime. They also have a specific support for families bereaved by crime.
Victim Support Scotland
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 0800 160 1985
Website: www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Free and confidential support for anyone affected by crime. They also have a specific support for families bereaved by crime.
info@victimsupportsco.org.uk
Walk With Us
Area served: National
Website: https://suicidebereavementuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Walk-With-Us-Toolkit.pdf
Services: Walk With Us is a free online resource and toolkit launched in South Yorkshire for those who support children, young people and families bereaved by suicide. It has been co-produced with children and young people. Please download a copy using the link above.
Winston's Wish
Area served: National
Telephone: 08088 020 021
Website: www.winstonswish.org
Winston’s Wish supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them. We provide support to children, young people (up to 25) and families when someone dies.
ask@winstonswish.org
Young Lives vs Cancer
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 330 0803
Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk
They are the charity that helps children and young people and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. #TeamYoungLives
supporter.services@younglivesvscancer.org.uk
Young Minds
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 7089 5050
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Young minds is a charity fighting for young people's mental health. Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544 for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
ymenquiries@youngminds.org.uk
Zephyr's
Area served: Nottingham and surrounding areas
Telephone: 07915 995532
Website: www.zephyrsnottingham.org.uk
Zephyr's - support for bereaved families touched by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby or child of any age. Their creative, and holistic approach is softly nurturing, inclusive, non judgemental and open to anyone in Nottingham county, and beyond. Their events and activities have included counselling, yoga, photography, crafts, social Saturdays, seasonal walks, weekly drop ins, creative writing, celebrations, and much more.
contact@zephyrsnottingham.org.uk
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