Ask Me: Education Manifesto and Bereavement Plan
Will you help make nurseries, schools, colleges and universities places where grieving students feel seen, understood and supported?
Right now, at least one child or young person in every classroom across the UK is grieving the death of a parent or sibling. And they’re demanding change!
4 in 5 bereaved students said they don’t feel supported in education and 72% of bereaved students bereaved while in education also said they have never been asked what support they need. Â
It’s time to ASK and stop assuming. Â
It’s time to replace one-size-fits all policies with real student choice. Â
Because grief doesn’t have to erase their potential. Â
Do you work in education? Will you stand with bereaved students and commit to ask instead of assuming how they want to navigate their grief? Will you tear up outdated, one-size-fits-all policies and pledge to see each bereaved student as an individual? Will you ask students one simple but powerful question: “What do you need, and how can we support you?”
Will you sign and implement the Winston’s Wish Ask Me: Education Manifesto and Bereavement Plan? Â
If you’re a parent or carer, bereaved young person or just someone who wants to help bereaved students, you can help us by sharing Ask Me: Education with your local nurseries, schools, colleges and universities. Click the button below and help us reach even more grieving children and young people.Â
I had no support whatsoever. They (school) refused to acknowledge what happened and just labelled me as ‘troubled’ and ‘naughty’.
Bereaved Student
The help I was given by one specific teacher and the school counsellor was invaluable and I don’t know where I would be without them – my teacher was very generous in always giving her time and emotional energy to listen to how I was feeling and helping me to communicate with other teachers and peers about what was going on.
Miranda, Bereaved Student
I asked a teacher if I could leave, but he said not until I finish the questions about death and decomposition. I know my dad’s decomposing, and this isn’t a nice thought to be thinking.Â
Zunera, Bereaved Student
My college has been amazing – offered support and authorised time off.
Bereaved Student
I was being basically bullied because of my dad dying, and school weren’t doing anything about it. They were more looking at prosecuting my mum for not sending me to school than anything else.Â
Sophie, Bereaved Student
Sign the Ask Me: Education Manifesto and download the Bereavement Plan
Sign the Ask Me: Education Manifesto and implement the Bereavement Plan and join a growing community of education professionals standing up for bereaved students across the UK.
By signing you’ll commit to listen to bereaved students, to give them a voice and choice in how they are supported through grief. You’ll promise to ditch the ‘one size fits all’ approach and offer compassionate, tailored grief support to students who need it.
It’s time for real change. Be part of a national movement to change the futures of bereaved children and young people for the better.
Once you have signed the Ask Me: Education Manifesto you’ll receive our free resources and exclusive training offers:Â
Bereavement Plans
A way to offer children and young people the space to share their experiences of loss and explore what could be done to support them in your education setting.
Guides to implementing a bereavement plan
A guide to help adults to understand how the bereavement plan works and to offer some suggestions about getting started.
Training
The chance to learn more about bereavement in young people, how you talk to them about death and dying and an in depth look at completing the bereavement plans. Those who sign the manifesto get an exclusive discount.
Grief shouldn’t erase my potential. This is why Ask Me: Education matters
In a recent survey of over 300 bereaved students (aged 8 to 25):
72%
said they did not feel adequately supported during education
79%
rated the support they received as 5 or less out of 10
72%
said they were never asked what support they needed
Further support for education professionals
Winston’s Wish helps adults supporting bereaved children and young people, including teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral care and anyone else working in an education setting, to provide the best support possible. We offer guidance from bereavement specialists, publications, resources and activities, training on supporting bereaved students and free PSHE lesson plans.
Contact us
Want to know more about Winston’s Wish and the Ask Me: Education campaign? Send us an email at education@winstonswish.org or call 01242 515 157. If you’re looking for guidance and support for a bereaved child or young person you can speak to a bereavement specialist by calling 08088 020 021, email ask@winstonswish.org, use our live chat or text or WhatsApp us on 07418 341 800.
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