How we can support you

Individual support

We support young people up to the age of 25 when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live.

We offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. We also offer face-to-face support from a number of locations. Click here for more information.

Groups for young people

Child Bereavement UK runs facilitated groups for young people between the ages of 11 and 25 to meet others who have also experienced the death of someone important in their life. We meet regularly for social activities and to work on projects to create resources that will help other bereaved young people. Sessions are free to attend. We are currently running groups via Zoom - call or email to find out more.

What happens at the group?

It is not a ‘sitting around talking’ group and it’s not ‘counselling’ – it’s a group of like-minded people meeting up and doing something positive to help others based on our own experiences. There are no expectations of you when you join the group. You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to, and participation is always voluntary – you get what you want from it. At the start of the project we talk about issues we would like to address. Then we plan how the project will be developed. In the past, we have designed and developed digital resources, including short films aimed at parents, teachers, friends and other bereaved young people (about what is and is not helpful). The charity organises technical support, such as filming equipment and iPads, to help us make these digital resources. The group takes the lead, with facilitation and support where needed from Child Bereavement UK’s staff and volunteers from the charity’s bereavement support service.

See a pottery project done by one of our groups

Here are some tips our young people gave to bereaved parent and former captain of the England football team Rio Ferdinand that were featured in the BBC1 documentary ‘Being Mum and Dad’:

How to join us

Want to know if there is a group in your area and if the group might help you? Then get in touch and we’ll be happy to have a chat.

Latest

Moving house when you are bereaved

It’s well known that moving house can be a very stressful time, whatever the circumstances. Moving house when you’re grieving or have been bereaved, however, can come with particular challenges.
I’ve got my own place

You can join our amazing team of fundraisers by taking part in any type of challenge.
Run the 2025 London Marathon

Run for Child Bereavement UK with your ballot place or apply for one of our charity places.
Adidas Manchester Marathon

Register your interest in our charity places

Moving house when you are bereaved

It’s well known that moving house can be a very stressful time, whatever the circumstances. Moving house when you’re grieving or have been bereaved, however, can come with particular challenges.
I’ve got my own place

You can join our amazing team of fundraisers by taking part in any type of challenge.
Adidas Manchester Marathon

Register your interest in our charity places
Involving parents and staff in learning from child deaths

Face to face training session in Birmingham.
Chief Executive | Full-time | Hybrid

After twenty-eight years, our current Chief Executive is retiring. We are now seeking a new Chief Executive to lead the next exciting chapter in the history of Child Bereavement UK.
How festival volunteering helps
About volunteering
Morgan

Morgan shares why she decided to volunteer for Child Bereavement UK after receiving support when her Dad died.
JLS Summer Hits Tour

FULLY BOOKED
Sarah

Sarah shares what she’s gained from volunteering with Child Bereavement UK’s fundraising team.

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they can show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.
Children's understanding of death at different ages

Guidance on children's understanding of death at different ages and stages of development.
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.
When a grandparent dies

The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies. There is the grief associated with their own loss, but also the reactions and responses of their children to the death of a grandparent.
Child Bereavement UK training

Child Bereavement UK designs and delivers training for professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
Contact us

Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.
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.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
UK death & bereavement statistics

A parent of children under 18 dies every 20 minutes in the UK; around 26,900 a year.
For adults bereaved as children

How being bereaved as a child can affect your life as an adult and where you can find support.