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    About

    The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) is the hub for those working with bereaved children, young people and their families across the UK.

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    Support for the sector

    Supporting you to create a culture of compassion and support for bereaved children and young people.

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National support services

National services

As well as the local services shown in the map, a number of other services provide support nation-wide.

Child Bereavement UK 

Tel: 0800 02 888 40

Website: www.childbereavementuk.org

National services include

  • confidential information and support line for families and professionals when a child has died and when a child is bereaved
  • web discussion forum for families and for professionals
  • resources for bereaved children and young people, families and all professionals
  • training courses on bereavement for health care and other professional

Childline

Telephone: 0800 1111

Website: www.childline.org.uk

National services include

  • free national helpline for children and young people on any issue or problem 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
  • freepost service
  • schools outreach programme.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Telephone: 

  • Freephone National Helpline: 0808 808 1677
  • Administration: 020 8939 9530

Website: www.cruse.org.uk    www.hopeagain.org.uk

Many local branches of Cruse offer individual or group support for bereaved children. Those that are members of the Childhood Bereavement Network are listed in the map above: others can be accessed by ringing the helpline or visting the Cruse website. 

Cruse has a special website for young people. A special feature of this site is a message board where young people can share their experiences and receive replies from trained young supporters.

Cruse Bereavement Care (Scotland)

Telephone: 0845 600 2227

Website: www.crusescotland.org.uk

Several branches of Cruse Scotland offer support for bereaved children. Those that are members of the Childhood Bereavement Network are listed in the map above: others can be accessed by ringing the helpline or visting the website. 

Grief Encounter

Telephone: 0808 802 0111

Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk

National services include

  • GriefTalk call, email or instant chat support for bereaved children and young people and those caring for them 9am-9pm Monday to Friday
  • resources for bereaved children and young people, families and professionals
  • training courses and bespoke training including Good Grief training course.

Ruth Strauss Foundation

Website: www.ruthstraussfoundation.com

National services for families when a parent has an incurable diagnosis including

  • family support service to help parents and carers with cancer that cannot be cured to prepare their children
  • resources to help talk to children when a parent has a terminal diagnosis
  • training courses for healthcare professionals supporting families when a parent has a terminal diagnosis

Winston's Wish

Telephone: Freephone National Helpline 08088 020 021

Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk

National services include

  • Bereavement support team available to speak to immediately by phone, email or live chat, 8am-8pm weekdays
  • One-to-one sessions with bereavement support workers and counsellors for those who need additional support (up to the age of 25)
  • Website with information and advice for the adults caring for grieving children and young people, plus activities, books and resources
  • Dedicated website for grieving young people https://www.talkgrief.org/
  • Training courses for professionals working with children and young people.

National services - specific groups

A number of organisations also offer support to bereaved children in specific circumstances:

Scotty's Little Soldiers - for children bereaved of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces

Families & communities

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