Coronavirus – services, events and information

Child Bereavement UK recognises its duty of care to all those who use our bereavement services, attend our training and fundraising events, visit our premises, fundraise, volunteer or work for the charity.

We have been following government advice relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and have taken action to reduce the spread of coronavirus. As a result of this, all our premises are now closed; however, our staff are working remotely and we are continuing to provide support to families by telephone and digital means.

Please find below the latest information and guidance with regard to our services and events.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will update this page to reflect any changes in government guidance and in our response. We apologise for any inconvenience that any changes to our services or activities may cause but trust that you understand that the safety and wellbeing of those who use or support our services is paramount.

Helpline for families and professionals

Our Helpline continues to operate as normal, providing confidential support, information and guidance to families and professionals. Our Helpline team is available to take calls and respond to emails and Live Chat 9am-5pm Monday-Friday (except Bank Holidays):

0800 02 888 40

[email protected]

Live Chat via the website.

Guidance for bereaved families

All our premises are now closed, however our bereavement support practitioners are working remotely and bereavement support will be offered to you by telephone or digital means.

Face-to-face groups and drop-in support services are currently postponed and our local practitioners will be in touch to discuss other means of offering support.

If you have any concerns or queries, please contact your bereavement support practitioner in the usual way, or email [email protected]

For resources to help support children during the coronavirus outbreak, view our guidance film and Information Sheet here.

Guidance for people attending training events

All our face-to-face training events have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a date to be confirmed. Delegates who have booked onto training which is postponed will be contacted directly. Please check here for up to date course information.

If you have any additional queries please email: [email protected]

Fundraising events

At this stage a number of our fundraising events have been postponed or cancelled. If you have booked to attend a ticketed event and this is postponed or cancelled, we will contact you directly. If you are planning your own fundraising event in aid of Child Bereavement UK, please follow government guidance. Please check our Get involved section for up to date event information.

If you have any additional queries please email: [email protected]

Other useful links

National Bereavement Alliance

Childhood Bereavement Network

At a Loss

The Good Grief Trust

Support After Suicide Partnership

Governemt guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Updated: 23 April

Latest

Online Fundraising Pack
Supporting bereaved children under 5 years of age
Supporting bereaved children through difficult times
Resources for Education Providers

Listed below are some of the free resources mentioned during the webinar, which are available via our website.

Holding a funeral or ceremony when you cannot meet – ideas for families

Trying to arrange or attend a funeral during the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to add strain and distress, at an already difficult and painful time.
Coronavirus - Supporting children through difficult times

Frightening events that are widely reported in the media such as the Coronavirus pandemic can cause children to worry about themselves and others.
When you can't visit someone who is ill

Not being able to visit someone, perhaps due to the coronavirus, may add greatly to your anxiety about them. You may also be supporting children. Here are some ideas which may help.
Coronavirus – supporting pupils

Information for education professionals supporting pupils during the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic
Coronavirus – supporting bereaved children

Frightening events widely reported in the media, such as the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, can cause children to worry about themselves and others.

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they show it in different ways. They copy the responses of the adults around them, and rely on adults to provide them with the support.
Bereavement Awareness training for schools and Early Years settings

Bereavement awareness training webinars for education providers, designed for and by those working in the education sector. The webinars provide an introduction to supporting a bereaved pupil in nursery; primary; and secondary settings.
Telling a child that someone has died

It is important to tell a child of any age when someone important in their lives has died, and ideally this is done by someone who is closest to them.
Genevieve
Supporting a bereaved pupil

This comprehensive, free-to-access resource , Supporting a bereaved pupil has been developed by Child Bereavement UK in collaboration with the London Grid for Learning.
What we offer

We are recognised as the leading provider of training for professionals working with bereaved families.
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.
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.
Coronavirus – supporting bereaved children

Frightening events widely reported in the media, such as the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, can cause children to worry about themselves and others.
Coronavirus – supporting pupils

Information for education professionals supporting pupils during the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic