Bereavement support services

Grief and bereavement support for children and young people

Winston’s Wish offers free, accessible online grief support to children and young people (aged 25 or under) across the UK who are bereaved or facing the death of someone important. We also offer guidance and resources for the adults supporting bereaved children and young people. 

Children and young people can get instant access to expert bereavement support via phone, live chat, email or text/WhatsApp from 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday. No appointment needed. No wait lists. We also provide free, online tools, content, guides and publications and additional tailored grief support for those who need it.  

We offer guidance, training and resources for the adults supporting bereaved children and young people, whether a parent, family member, teacher, friend, or professional. 

Bereavement support without the wait

Our team of bereavement specialists are available to speak with right away. No appointments or waiting lists, just real-life support. You can call our free helpline, email us, use our online chat or text or WhatsApp (contact details below).  

Grief doesn’t follow a timetable. We’re here for children and young people no matter where they are in their grief journey – preparing for the death of someone, immediately after a bereavement or if a person has been grieving for some time. We’re here for the tough days, the milestones, and everything in between. Whether it’s a one-time conversation or regular support, we’re available as little or often as needed. 

You can speak with us between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). You must be 13 or older to receive support via text or WhatsApp. 

If you need to speak to us in a language other than English, we can use interpreters over the phone, and we can use the Relay UK app if you have hearing or speech difficulties. For urgent support in a crisis, please call 999. 

Peer support and one-to-one sessions

If a child or young person is really struggling with their grief, our bereavement specialists will explore the child’s needs and assess if they could benefit from additional support. This includes connecting bereaved children and young people through facilitated online groups and/or one-to-one sessions with bereavement specialists and counsellors.  

We will take the time to get to know and understand the needs of each individual grieving child or young person before expertly delivering support and services that will suit their unique needs best. It’s not one-size-fits-all; instead, we tailor our interactions, making each person’s grief support journey as unique as the individual experiencing it. 

Trusted information and resources on grief

We provide free, online tools, content, guides and publications to help children and young people understand grief and feel less alone, and to help the adults around them feel more confident supporting them.   

Grieving young people can visit our dedicated online space, Talk Grief, for advice and real voices. Younger children can visit our Kids Grief section with free activities and advice. Adults supporting grieving children and young people can visit our essential information and advice section or view all our books and resources. 

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