Other helpful organisations
Bereavement through violent death, suicide, drug and alcohol related death
Adfam
Area served: National
Telephone: 07442 137 421
Website: www.adfam.org.uk
Adfam recognises drug and alcohol use can threaten and destroy family relationships and wellbeing. They empower family members and carers, support frontline workers and influence decision-makers to stop this happening. They signpost to over 200 support groups for families dealing with drug or alcohol use.
admin@adfam.org.uk
Advocacy after Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA)
Area served: England and Wales
Telephone: 07768 386922
Website: www.aafda.org.uk
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) provide emotional, practical and specialist peer support to those left behind after fatal domestic homicide throughout England and Wales. They also provide advice and training to professionals. Additional they provide information, guidance and advice on homicide reviews, mental health reviews, inquests and other inquiries (including some free legal advice).
info@aafda.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9-5
Alcohol Change
Area served: National
Telephone: 020 3907 8480
Website: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/
In the UK one person every hour dies as a result of alcohol. Alcohol harm – mental health problems, liver disease, one of seven forms of cancer, economic difficulties, and so much more – can affect any one of us, from any walk of life. The harm doesn’t end with the individual; each of us who drinks too much is part of a family and a community who feel the effects too, whether through frequent use of emergency services, drink driving, violence or neglect. We are Alcohol Change UK. We work for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.
contact@alcoholchange.org.uk
Amparo
Area served: Cheshire & Merseyside, Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Kent & Medway, Thames Valley, Coventry & Warwickshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Telephone: 0330 088 9255
Website: www.amparo.org.uk
Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anybody who has felt the impact of suicide. The service is not just for 'next of kin' and it is free and completely confidential. Support can be provided one-to-one, to family groups, groups of work colleagues – whatever is most appropriate to your situation. Amparo can also help with a range of practical matters such as: dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping you to access other, appropriate, local support services.
amparo.service@listening-ear.co.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Bereaved by Suicide
Area served: Falkirk and surrounding Forth Valley
Telephone: 01324 671 600
Website: www.fdamh.org.uk
A bereaved by Suicide monthly support group based in the Falkirk area - welcomes all who are resident in Falkirk & District, age 16+ and dealing with a painful loss through suicide.
neil.sowerby@fdamh.org.uk
Bereaved by Suicide service in Suffolk and North East Essex
Area served: Suffolk and North East Essex
Telephone: 01473 322683
The Bereaved by Suicide Service in Suffolk* and North East Essex (Victim Support SNEE) operates across the county, delivering support to those who have been bereaved or affected by suicide. Their support is tailored to you and they can help in a variety of ways. This includes informing you of your rights and the next steps. This may be assisting with the funeral or the inquest, or at work/study. They can help by listening to you, and validating your feelings. They also help you to reflect and explore ways to cope after a traumatic incident. And they can connect you with other services who may be able to support you, for example counselling.
They provide support to adults as well as children from the age of 4 upwards.
*They are only able to support children under the age of 18 within the Waveney area.
The service is free and confidential and is here for you when you need it.
Email SNEE.bereavedbysuicide@victimsupport.org.uk
Bereaved through Alcohol and Drugs (BEAD)
Area served: National
Website: www.beadproject.org.uk
Bereaved through Alcohol and Drugs (BEAD) is a website that aims to be a source of information, support and hope for anyone bereaved through drug or alcohol use. Whatever your experience of being bereaved through alcohol or drugs, they reassure everyone that they are not alone in what they are going through.
The BEAD project is a partnership between Cruse Bereavement Care and ADFAM. Funding finished in 2017 and therefore they are no longer able to provide new support. However, the website remains as a source of information and support.
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
Campaign against Living Miserably (CALM)
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 585858
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Standing together, united against suicide are Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and are taking a stand against suicide. That means standing against feeling rubbish, standing up to stereotypes, and standing together to show life is always worth living. 125 lives are lost every week to suicide. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. They exist to change this and do it by provoking conversation, running life-saving services, and bringing people together so they reject living miserably, get help when they need it and don’t die by suicide.
thehelpline@thecalmzone.net
Hours: Helpline, 5pm - Midnight daily - telephone or webchat service
Chris's House
Area served: Lanarkshire
Telephone: 01236 766 755
Website: www.chrisshouse.org
Offers support and awareness to mental ill health to people who have been affected by suicide and the on-going ripple it has on family, friends, and the community. Volunteers have all been affected in some way themselves. Group support, online groups, and therapies at Chris’s House.
info@chrisshouse.org
Citizens Advice Witness Service
Telephone: Dedicated national helpline 03300 330 1161
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/aboutu-us/citizens-advice-witness-service/
Services: Offers free, independent support for both prosecution and defence witnesses giving evidence in a criminal court in England and Wales
Curly Star Dream Foundation
Area served: Fife and surrounding areas
Telephone: 07716 018 785
Website: www.curlystar.org
The charity supports family, friends and anyone affected by suicide and bereavement in Fife and the surrounding areas. They also campaign to raise awareness in the local community.
info@curlystar.org
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline
Telephone: 0808 802 1414
Website: www.dsahelpline.org
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline provides information and support to those affected by Domestic and Sexual Abuse across Northern Ireland. Their helpline is free and confidential
help@dsahelpline.org
Hours: Helpline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Escaping Victimhood
Area served: National
Telephone: 07715 209 415
Website: www.escapingvictimhood.com
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 or personal attack.
info@escapingvictimhood.com
Facing the Future
Area served: National
Telephone: 0207 758 0667
Website: www.facingthefuturegroups.org
Facing the future service is managed by central London Samaritans and offer support for people bereaved by suicide. Support groups are taking place online via zoom currently. The groups are completely free, limited to a maximum of eight people and delivered for six consecutive weeks. Individuals can self-refer. 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.
ftf@cls.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
Falkirk's Mental Health Association (FDAMH)
Area served: Falkirk and surrounding Forth Valley
Telephone: 01324 671 600
Website: www.fdamh.org.uk
Falkirk's Mental Health Association (FDAMH) working with people and families experiencing the impact of mental illness. Specifically, they run a bereaved by Suicide group on the last Wednesday of the month for people based in the Falkirk and Forth Valley area - welcoming all who are dealing with a painful loss through suicide.
admin@FDAMH.org.uk
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
FirstLight
Area served: Ireland
Telephone: 1800 391 391
Website: www.firstlight.ie
A bereavement support service for parents and families anywhere in Ireland who experience the sudden loss of a child up to the age of 18 years. They offer a national 24 hour helpline, home visits, therapy and peer support groups.
info@firstlight.ie
Hours: Helpline 24 hour
Friends of Suicide Loss (FOSL)
Area served: Ireland
Telephone: 01 492 7576
Website: www.friendsofsuicideloss.ie
Friends of suicide loss is a group of people bereaved by suicide in the Dublin area offering each other support. They offer support group services, educational programmes, publications, workshops, presentations, lectures, conferences and pamphlets for the suicide bereaved, appropriate professionals, counsellors and students, communities and agencies.
info@fosl.ie
Grassroots Suicide Prevention - Stay Alive App
Area served: National
Website: https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/
Services: The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information to help you stay safe. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
Hypnotherapy Directory
Area served: National
Telephone: 0333 325 2502
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.
Inquest
Telephone: 020 7263 1111
Website: www.inquest.org.uk
Will support families in navigating the legal process following a death in state care or detention, and in some other cases where the conduct of the state or corporate bodies are in question. Will provide free and independent advice on the inquest process and related investigations putting the needs of bereaved people at the heart of what they do.
inquest@inquest.org.uk
Hours: Helpline, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am - 4pm
James' Support Group
Area served: Inverness, Nairn, Thurso and Aviemore
Telephone: 07563 572471
Website: www.jamessupportgroup.com
They support anyone who has been touched by suicide. If you’ve had suicidal thoughts, are concerned about someone you know, or just need a safe space to talk and be heard, James Support Group are here for you. Support groups are held in Nairn, Thurso, Aviemore and Inverness.
support@jamessupportgroup.com
Lifeline
Area served: Northern Ireland
Telephone: 0808 808 8000
Website: www.lifelinehelpline.info
Services: Anyone of any age living in Northern Ireland can call if they are experiencing distress or despair. Lifeline counsellors are experienced in trauma, suicide, self-harm, abuse, depression, anxiety. Calls about anything that causes concern are welcome.
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
Marie Curie Bereavement Support Service
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 090 2309
Website: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereavement
Services: Call Marie Curie Bereavement Support Service to find out more about being matched with a specially trained telephone volunteer who'll give you regular bereavement support. They'll provide a safe space where you can talk openly about your grief. You can access up to 6 telephone sessions of 45 minutes. This service is available for adults aged 18 or above and provides free ongoing emotional support over the phone with the same person each week, no matter where you live in the UK or whether you've accessed support from Marie Curie before.
Hours: 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 11am-5pm on Saturday
Mind in the City, Hackney & Waltham Forest
Area served: Hackney & Waltham Forest
Telephone: 0208 985 4239
Website: www.mindchwf.org.uk
Part of the Mind network, Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest is an independent mental health charity providing support for local people. Local support for people dealing with suicide, bereavement & grief, employment, education, universal credit, black & minority residents and championing LGBTQI+ mental health.
services@mindchwf.org.uk
MIND Leeds Suicide Bereavement Services
Telephone: 0113 305 5800 email sbs@leedsmind.org.uk
Website: www.leedsmind.org.uk/sbs
MIND Suicide Bereavement Support London and Greater London
Telephone: 020 7259 8100
Website: sbls@bwwmind.org.uk email for referrals sbls@bwwmind.org.uk
1:1 support, peer support groups both in person and online, signposting to other agencies who can help
Online groups for those bereaved by suicide to gain valuable insight and share personal experiences in a safe place, meet every two weeks on a Wednesday at 2pm. Face to face group support takes place every 8 weeks on a Tuesday at 18.00 (6pm) at 23 Monck Street, London, SW1P 2AE
Murdered Abroad
Area served: National
Telephone: 0845 123 2384
Website: www.murdered-abroad.org.uk
A support group for families, partners and friends of the victims of murder and manslaughter abroad. A peer support group run by people with lived experience of murder and manslaughter abroad. Also an action group, working for change and improvements to the support families receive after their loved one is murdered abroad.
support@murdered-abroad.org.uk
National Suicide Prevention Alliance
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. They are unable to offer emotional support or advice on individual cases.
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
Parenting Mental Health
Area served: England
Website: www.parentingmentalhealth.org
Parenting Mental Health is a registered charity that supports, connects and educates parents of young people with mental health issues. The charity offers peer support through an online community, peer mentorship, listening circles, and a range of self-care days and events. They also provide courses and programs educating parents on how to support their child suffering with poor mental health.
info@parentingmentalhealth.com
People Experiencing Trauma and Loss (PETAL)
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 01698 324502
Website: www.petalsupport.com
Offers practical and emotional support, advocacy, group support and counselling for people experiencing trauma and loss.
info@petalsupport.com
Pete's Dragons
Area served: Devon
Telephone: 01395 277 780
Website: www.petesdragons.org.uk
Supports anyone in the Devon area who has been affected by suicide. Support is offered through grants to help with unexpected costs, a listening service, practical advice and assistance, source and liaise with support services and children & family fun days.
info@petesdragons.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
Quinn's Retreat
Area served: National
Website: www.quinnsretreat.org.uk
A charity offering a retreat for those bereaved by suicide, no matter how long ago. Where possible they will also offer breaks to anyone suffering with their mental health. Set up in memory of their children, Dyllon and Quinn. Quinn's Retreat is located at Riverview Leisure Park in Barnard Castle and Dyllon's Den is at the Wild Rose Caravan Park in Ormside.
For bookings: https://quinnsretreat.org.uk/bookings/
SAMM National
Area served: National
Telephone: 0121 472 2912
Website: www.samm.org.uk
SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. There is no time limit on becoming a member. Services are open to everyone regardless of how long ago they were bereaved. They support close relatives as well as wider family members. As a national charity their support services cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
info@samm.org.uk
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD)
Area served: Scotland
Telephone: 08080 101 011
Website: www.sfad.org.uk
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs is a national charity that supports anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use in Scotland. They also support people through their helpline, their bereavement support service, Telehealth (one-to-one support), and family support services in Aberdeenshire, East Dunbartonshire, and Forth Valley.
helpline@sfad.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 Link
Area served: Brighton, Hove and Sussex
Website: 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. The other support group is for siblings who have been bereaved by suicide. The focus is on talking and listening.
info@siblinglink.co.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
Suicide & Co
Area served: National
Telephone: 0800 054 8400
Website: www.suicideandco.org
Offers advice and guidance to anyone bereaved by suicide. They offer a helpline for anyone who has lost someone close to suicide. Helpline team are counsellors. Can also provide counselling up to 12 sessions for anyone over 18 bereaved by suicide. Also offer signposting to other helpful organisations and support.
info@suicideandco.org
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
Suicide Liaison Service Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
Telephone: 01208 871905 between 9 am and 4pm Monday to Friday
Website: www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/suicide-liaison-service
This is an NHS service providing practical and emotional support to individuals and families resident in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly who are bereaved by suicide. Face to face contact is offered by a qualified and experienced therapist with specialist training in traumatic grief and loss. They offer information, practical support and guidance about the investigation of a death that may reach an outcome of Suicide at Inquest. They also work closely with the Cornwall Coroner's staff to help the bereaved understand the process and when required, provide support at the Inquest.
Referrals are accepted from the Police, GPs, Allied Health professionals as well as self-referrals.
Sunflowers Suicide Support
Area served: Gloucestershire
Telephone: 01453 826990
Website: www.sunflowerssuicidesupport.org.uk
Sunflower Suicide Support offer various support services to people living in Gloucestershire who have been bereaved by a suspected suicide.
Info@SunflowersSuicideSupport.org.uk
Hours: Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm
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.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
Area served: National
Telephone: 0300 111 5065
Website: www.uksobs.org
Offering peer to peer support to all those over the age of 18 impacted by suicide loss in the UK. They exist to break the isolation experienced by many bereaved by suicide.
support@uksobs.org
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 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
Voice for Victims and Witnesses
Area served: Northamptonshire
Telephone: 0300 303 1965
Website: www.voicenorthants.org
Voice helps you to cope, recover and thrive after crime. Their support is available for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.
info@voicenorthants.org
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.
You Raise Me Up
Telephone: Helpline: 01323 482772 (24 hour emotional support)
Website: https://www.youraisemeup.co.uk/
The ‘You Raise Me up Charity’ was founded by the late Jane Brooks and her husband Fraser in June 2011 following the sudden loss of their daughter Megan. The charity’s sole purpose is to raise funds to support families that have suffered the loss of an adult child between the age of 16 and 25 and to be able to provide compassion, support and simply to be able to say “we totally understand” rather than “we cannot imagine what you are going through!”
The loss of your child is possibly the most devastating and life-changing event you’ll face, but you don’t have to deal with this alone or unsupported. At the You Raise Me Up charity (YRMU) emotional support is offered to families who have sadly lost a child between the ages of 16 and 25. The service provides experienced counsellors who offer one to one or family counselling, working with you at your pace. They also offer group support at their Polegate Centre..
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