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Asian mum on the phone with young child and laptop in front of her.

Preparing a child to attend a funeral

The involvement of children and young people in funerals and other rituals following a death will, of course, vary in families depending on their cultural and religious beliefs, but it can help children if they can see for themselves rather than let their imaginations run riot. From conversations with bereaved children ...
Child looking at adult

Talking about sudden death with children and young people

When someone in your life dies, feelings of grief can be overwhelming. These feelings may be even more difficult to handle if the death is sudden, traumatic or violent. There are many types of sudden death – it could be through an illness, an accident, murder, manslaughter or suicide. How might ...
Boxing Day Challenge

Winston’s Wish gives thanks to local family and the community in fond reflection of its bygone Boxing Day Challenge

Earlier this year, Winston’s Wish made the difficult decision to withdraw its popular community event, the Boxing Day Challenge, which it ran for ten years at The Cheltenham Racecourse. As Christmas falls upon us, the charity reflects on the event’s rich history, and gives deepest thanks to the Cheltenham family at ...
Lost for Words book for bereaved children

New book to help young people through grief

A new free e-book has been released for Children’s Grief Awareness Week, featuring a collection of personal insights and advice for bereaved children by bereaved children, including those who have been supported by Winston’s Wish. Lost for Words: Advice for Children About How to Deal with Grief was conceived and edited ...
Young child with SEND walking holding hands with two adults.

Do children with SEND understand death?

For a child with special educational needs and disabilities, their functional level of understanding (rather than actual chronological age) will be the biggest factor in how the child reacts to a death and what they will be able to understand. Knowing what children at different developmental stages understand about death ...
Hope After Suicide

Raising awareness of the thousands of children bereaved by suicide

Childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish, pledges to raise awareness of the thousands of children who are bereaved by suicide each year, through the release of a short film entitled #HopeAfterSuicide.  The film, has been directed and produced by filmmaker Phil Beastall – the man behind the £50 ‘Love is a Gift’ ...
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