How we can support you

Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.

We offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people, and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. We also offer face-to-face support from a number of locations.

We welcome families and individuals of any gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, religion, faith, belief, or sexual orientation.

We will endeavour to source interpreters / BSL interpreters where needed / possible.

Our Charter for Bereavement Support Services provides our statement of how Child Bereavement UK aims to support bereaved individuals, couples and families who come to us for support.

The following support groups run at various times, by video and/or in person in some areas of the UK. Please call our Helpline to find out how you can access a group after an initial appointment.

Groups for families - facilitated groups for bereaved families where children aged 4-12 and their adult carers can meet others and explore their feelings through creative activities over several sessions or on one day as a Day to Remember.

Groups for young people - facilitated groups for those between the ages of 11 and 25 to meet for social activities and to work on creative projects

Groups for parents - facilitated groups for bereaved parents and carers to meet in a supportive environment

We can also offer face-to-face support if you are able to travel to one of the locations below:

Scotland [email protected] | 0800 02 888 40

Glasgow
Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children*

*Provides support to parents and families bereaved of a child or who have a child that is expected to die, across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GG&C), and to families throughout Scotland who have input through the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow.: 01413704747 | [email protected]

North of England [email protected] | 0800 02 888 40

Carlisle, Cumbria
Workington, Cumbria
Kendal, Cumbria
St Helens, Merseyside
Wirral, Merseyside
Widnes, Cheshire
Greater Manchester
Bradford, Yorkshire
Leeds, Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
Sheffield

Leeds is a funded service providing support for children and young people in Leeds: 01133 503 598 | [email protected] (For anyone else seeking support in Leeds, please call 0800 02 888 40)

In West Yorkshire we provide support to parents/carers when a child from birth to 18 years dies and where there is a Child Death Review. (In partnership with Elliot’s Footprint). Please leave a message for Nicola Thornton on 0113 503 598 I [email protected]

Midlands [email protected] | 0800 02 888 40

Birmingham

South of England [email protected] | 0800 02 888 40

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

London [email protected] | 0800 02 888 40

Barnet
Queen’s Park
Stratford
Beckton

Get in touch via our Helpline on 0800 02 888 40 | [email protected] or Live Chat via this website and we can help you find the support that suits your needs.

Latest

When someone special dies | Leaflets

The information in this series of leaflets is designed to help young people to understand their feelings after a bereavement.
“Tell as many or as few people as you want...do what makes sense for you’’

Francesca was supported by Child Bereavement UK after her father died when she was 17. She shares her experience of starting university as a bereaved young person and telling people that she's bereaved.
Run with us at the Great North Run 2025

Take part in the biggest half marathon in the world and raise funds for Child Bereavement UK.
Philanthropy Officer (full time)

An exciting opportunity has become available for a talented and enthusiastic Philanthropy Officer to join a high performing and friendly fundraising team.

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they can show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.
Children's understanding of death at different ages

Guidance on children's understanding of death at different ages and stages of development.
Grieving for a child of any age

The agony of losing a child of any age is unparalleled. There is no age or point in time that makes it any easier. No parent expects to face the death of their child and no grandparent expects to lose their grandchild.
Child Bereavement UK training

Child Bereavement UK designs and delivers training for professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
When a grandparent dies

The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies. There is the grief associated with their own loss, but also the reactions and responses of their children to the death of a grandparent.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
Explaining to a child that someone has died

Guidance on explaining to a child that someone has died.
Contact us

Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.
When your baby dies

When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, people may assume that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case.
For adults bereaved as children

How being bereaved as a child can affect your life as an adult and where you can find support.