Winston’s Wish is pleased to announce that it is expanding its services to include a dedicated bereavement support text service for young people 13 and older.
The new text service is available over WhatsApp and SMS on 07418 341 800 and will be open from 3pm-8pm, weekdays (excluding bank holidays). You have to be 13 or older and in the UK to receive support via text or WhatsApp.
In recognition of the fact that many young people prefer to write down their feelings or worries while chatting in real-time, the charity continues to shape its services to champion digital support which can be accessed throughout the UK.
Designed to be grief support in your pocket and increase accessibility of support for grieving young people, the text service will offer young people instant access to a bereavement specialist right from their phones and will allow teenagers and young adults the chance to message on the way back from school, at home or between messaging friends.
They can leave and restart the conversation and pick up where they left off without having to explain their experience again from the start.
Letizia Perna, Winston’s Wish’s Deputy CEO and Director of Services, explains:
It is our vision that no young person is left to grieve alone, and it’s our aim that our support and access to that support is what young people need and want.
Our services champion digital support and allow young people themselves to access our bereavement advice. We also remain on hand to help parents, carers and professionals to offer advice to them when they are supporting a grieving young person.
Letizia Perna, Winston’s Wish’s Deputy CEO and Director of Services
The new text service sits alongside the current bereavement support services on offer from Winston’s Wish. Young people and adults supporting grieving children or young people can also call free on 08088 020 021, email ask@winstonswish.org or use the live chat on the website (all open 8am-8pm, weekdays).