*Samaritans - Urgent Help NATIONAL HELPLINE: Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope with anything, including bereavement Expand Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, often through their telephone helpline. TELEPHONE They offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. We won't judge your or tell you what to do, we'll listen to you. CALL THE SAMARITANS 24/7 ON 116123 EMAIL Writing an email can be a calm and safe way to work through what's on your mind. Especially if it feels too upsetting to talk about on the phone. Samaritans volunteers answer each email that comes through to [email protected] You don't have to be suicidal to get in touch – nearly half of the emails they receive are from people who are having a tough time, but not suicidal. Sometimes people worry they can't write well – no matter your spelling, punctuation or how you express yourself, the Samaritans are here. Average response time is 24 hours so call them if your need is urgent. WEBSITE LINK
*Training by ListeningPeople Training for youth leaders, teachers and professionals supporting young people. Expand ListeningPeople training and resources provide tools for teachers, youth workers, counsellors and anyone who works with young people to safely and confidently enable them to engage around the difficult topic of loss. Our training is led by Pete English. With over 25 years experience in working with young people and counselling in schools, Pete really does know what is like to support young people through difficult times. He is currently providing training on-line. On any of his workshops you will come away with tools to go away and use straight away, a heightened sense of the impact of hearing about loss on self and a whole host of new ideas! You can download our training leaflet from the box below. To find out when the next online workshops will be happening go to TRAINING Endorsements by professionals who have experienced ListeningPeople training: "What Pete doesn't know about young people and loss isn't worth knowing." Rachel Gardner, Youthscape "The training was professional, insightful and perfectly pitched for our setting." Joe Lowther, Kick London "I hadn’t expected to be putting this into practice so soon. Just had a phone call from our local church primary head teacher, a parent has taken her own life. Have you got any immediate pointers as to how we might practically support the school on Monday morning when this is such devastating, raw news for staff and children?" Pete advised this attendee by email. “Pete delivered the training in a way that enabled everyone in the room from very different professional and personal backgrounds to participate in it fully. He was calm and professional and gained people’s trust speedily through his knowledge and manner. He presented the material clearly and ensured that we understood it. There was a good balance of practical exercises and slides/written material.I would recommend Pete as a trainer/facilitator." Antonia Rowland, Volunteer at Number 72, Sudbury - Solicitor (SRA number 29891)"The whole area of loss and bereavement raises many sensitive issues and Pete quickly created a supportive and respectful learning environment in which to share and participate. He also brings with him a wealth of experience in small groups, mentoring and counselling which enrich the training. He placed the young person’s needs at the centre of the discussions, a great listener and generous in sharing resources, which promotes good practice and development for facilitators." Ant Cartwight, Senior Youthwork Coordinator Thanks so much! Great session again, so much amazing information and practical help. Can't thank you enough. Absolutely invaluable training. Kay Wilkinson - Youth Angels Coordinator. Download printed details about ListeningPeople training ListeningPeople_DL_AtaLoss_web.pdf
. Jane Oundjian MBE Trustee Expand Jane Oundjian MBE Jane trained as a counsellor at Westminster Pastoral Foundation in 1993 and went on to train with Cruse Bereavement Care, for whom she worked for many years in the North Kensington area, giving one to one bereavement support to clients and helping to run counselling training sessions for the Branch. Jane has had her own bereavement experiences having lost her single parent mother at the age of 16 and also her first child when he was 14 months old. These experiences eventually led her in 1995 to write and develop a six-session group programme designed to help grieving people. She ran this course, The Bereavement Journey, for 23 years at Holy Trinity Brompton and now continues to run it where she lives, in West Sussex. The Bereavement Journey material was filmed in 2015 and the course now runs all over the UK and overseas. Jane was awarded an MBE for services to bereaved people in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2020.
. Luke Richmond Trustee and Treasurer Expand Luke Richmond FCCA, ACCA Luke was bereaved of his father having just turned 20. As a qualified accountant he is the Finance Director at Unbiased (a UK leading FinTech platform) and is based with his family in Guildford. He is the Charity Treasurer and provides financial oversight to the board of trustees. Linked In
. Urgent Help: Childline National helpline for children under 19 talk about anything that is troubling them. Expand Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through, including bereavement or loss of any sort. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline will help any young person in the UK. Calling Childline is free and doesn’t show up on the phone bill. Call the Helpline: 0800 1111
..Tough Stuff Journal: Someone has died A resource to help young people express and share their grief and feelings of loss when someone has died - endorsed by professionals in the field. Expand This is the latest member of the Tough Stuff Journal family - Someone has Died. This is aimed at supporting young people wrestling with the loss of someone close. The journal is designed to be used by a young person accompanied by a trusted adult - a parent or relative, youth worker, social worker or school mentor. The journal is designed deliberately in 'free form', can be written in and asks open questions to encourage the young person to reflect on and record their feelings about the loss. Purchase Price £5 + postage Available to order from our Online Shop The Tough Stuff journals have come into existence as a result of Pete’s work with young people over many years. Many of the ideas are credited to young people who he has worked alongside. Pete has worked with talented designers and illustrators to come up with the Tough Stuff journal - great resource which children and young people will want to pick up and work through with their teacher, a parent or counsellor. Julie Stokes OBE, founder of childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish and author herself, expressed her appreciation of this resource saying; These booklets are deceptively difficult to write and I love the simplicity of your clear affinity to young people. I say this, Pete, having literally just finished a non fiction book for children and young people myself.
.Jane Woodward Executive Director Expand Jane has worked in the public sector, run her own business and also worked extensively with the charity and ecclesiastical sector. She specialises in governance and management, and is passionate about good organisation and development. She is a professional facilitator and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach and is keen that people are equipped to plan positively for life following bereavement. Jane is responsible for the development and promotion of the AtaLoss national signposting and information service for bereaved people and professionals supporting them. She works with a wide range of organisations across all sectors and is the person to contact about external communications, media enquiries or to be a partner or funder. Please contact her on [email protected] Linked-In
.Loss and Hope WEBSITE: Resources to equip churches of all denominations across the UK to help those grieving. Expand Loss and Hope is a coalition of Christian organisations seeking to help the Church support the bereaved – currently equipping churches across the UK to run The Bereavement Journey for those grieving in our nation. To discover where Churches are participating, click HERE WESBITE LINK Email: [email protected]
.Tough Stuff Journal: Parents Splitting Up A resource to help young people express and share their emotions and feelings of loss when parents separate Expand The first in our Tough Stuff Journal series, Pete English has produced a booklet for young people who are struggling with parental break up. For many young people this involves feelings of traumatic loss accompanied by emotions which are hard to handle. The journal is designed to be used by a young person accompanied by a trusted adult - a parent or relative, youth worker, social worker or school mentor. It is deliberately ‘free form’ and non- prescriptive in the way in which it can be completed, but has some guidelines at the back. It is useful for parents, youth workers, teachers or anyone working with young people. Purchase Price £5 + postage Available from our Online Shop 'Tough Stuff Journal: Someone has died' will be published shortly. This is specifically for young people who have been bereaved.
.Yvonne Richmond Tulloch Founder and Chief Executive Officer Expand Yvonne Richmond Tulloch Suddenly widowed in 2008 as a Cathedral Canon Yvonne's life went into free fall. She realised how little she and others around her knew about bereavement, its difficulties and needs, and how hard it can be to find understanding support. Since then Yvonne has focused her attention on ensuring bereaved people of all walks of life find the support that they need. In 2016 Yvonne founded AtaLoss to signpost bereaved people to the range of support services that exist across the UK, plug gaps in support where it is scarce and mobilise effective local support. Her main focus is on training faith groups and church leaders to enhance bereavement support within communities. As an ordained minister Yvonne has an additional perspective on the issues of bereavement and the needs of bereaved people. She is Bishop's Officer for clergy bereavement for Southwark Diocese, and helps Care for the Family as Chaplain for their 'Widowed Young Support' and in facilitating 'Bereavement Care Awareness' days. She is author of 'Faith Questions in Bereavement' and leads a national on-line The Bereavement Journey course several times a year. Although founded by a Christian, AtaLoss is a charity run by people from all backgrounds and its service is for bereaved people whatever their faith or cultural background, wherever they live in a UK. Linked-In
10 Ways to help you through the seasons (Autumn) WEBSITE: Bereavement UK'S practical guide to helping the bereaved deal with the seasons and anniversaries Expand Changing of any season can bring with it new anniversaries of significant moments. Here are some ways that may help you through autumn. Visit site
2Wish Support for parents bereaved suddenly of a child Expand 2Wish supports sudden death in children & young adults (25 years & under) in England & Wales. 2Wish aim to:Ensure that every Emergency department in Wales has a suitable bereavement suite for bereaved families.Ensure that bereavement boxes are available for families at each of these hospitals.Ensure that immediate bereavement support is available for suddenly bereaved families.Provide a professional counselling service for suddenly bereaved families.Provide support to individuals who witness the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult.Provide staff support and training WEBSITE LINK CONTACT: Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01443 853125 Ground Floor, Unit 7, Magden Park, Llantrisant, CF72 8XT
3rd Level Foundation Offering counselling sessions for young people in the Aberdeen area. Expand 'Young Persons Counselling' is a confidential service for people between the ages of 12 and 18 years. Counselling is offered on a no-waiting list basis, within two weeks of first contact. If the young person is under the age of 16, the parents, or carers, permission is required, although the counsellor can work on a one to one basis with the young person. Counselling is offered to support any issues that may be caused by bereavement such as anxiety, depression, pain of loss, grief or abandonment. All counsellors are BACP accredited. WEBSITE LINK CONTACT Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0800 021 7704 35A Union St Aberdeen AB11 5BN [70324]
42nd Street Emotional and mental health support for Greater Manchester young people aged 13-25 years. Expand 42nd Street is a Greater Manchester young people’s mental health charity providing free and confidential services to young people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Their Mission is “To support young people aged 13-25 years with their emotional wellbeing and mental health, promoting choice and creativity. They champion young person centred approaches that demonstrate local impact and have national significance.” WEBSITE LINK CONTACT: Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0161 228 7321
4Louis TRAINING, RESOURCES: 4louis provide useful tools, equipment and training free of charge to hospital units, hospices and other professionals comforting grieving families who suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth neonatal or child death. Expand 4Louis provides memory boxes, bereavement rooms, photography equipment, burial beds, Moses baskets & Angel pockets, cuddle cots and blankets and training free of charge to professionals working with grieving families who have lost a baby or young child. WEBSITE LINK CONTACT: Email: [email protected] Telephone: (0191)514 4473 4Louis, 36B Pallion Industrial Estate, European Way, Sunderland SR4 6SN [070324]
565 Service, Ipswich Bereavement support for children, young people and families Expand 565 provides bereavement support for children, young people and families following the loss of a loved one. Support is delivered via family meetings, one to one counselling and group work. WEBSITE LINK CONTACT: Email: [email protected] St Elizabeth Hospice, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP3 8LX
A birthday present for Daniel by Juliet Rothman BOOK: Ellen has lost her brother, and she shares with readers just how his death has changed the way her family interacts and the way she thinks about herself and others. Expand This sensitive book is designed to generate discussion between children and adults as each page provides opportunities for communication, understanding, expression of feelings, and support from the little girl's parents.As the story moves through young Ellen's experiences, it arrives at a universal problem how to commemorate the birthday of the child who has died. The suggestions presented here have been highly recognized and recommended by bereavement counsellors and support groups. Although written for the young child, A Birthday Present for Daniel reaches out to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one.Juliet C. Rothman of Annapolis, MD, is assistant professor at the National Catholic School for Social Services, Catholic University of America, editor of the Healthcare Ethics book series, and author of Saying Goodbye to Daniel. BUY ON AMAZON
A Child Of Mine Support for parents and families following the death of a child. Expand A Child of Mine is a Midlands based registered charity providing emotional and practical support to bereaved parents and families when a child dies. They work in partnership with health care professionals to help improve care and support available when a child dies. Family Support A Child Of Mine offers confidential peer support, information, guidance and a listening ear to any family who has lost a child at any age or gestation, and from any circumstance. They also offer groups (Free of charge) for both younger and older bereaved children who have suffered the loss of a sibling (only available in Staffordshire). For any family outside of Staffordshire, they can provide telephone or email emotional support WEBSITE LINK CONTACT: Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01785 283434
A death in the lives of FILM: 20 minute film shows a group of young people aged 13-16, from a range of backgrounds talking about the kind of support they needed to help them cope with bereavement. Expand Made with the help of the St Christopher's Candle Project, shows a group of young people aged 13-16, from a range of backgrounds talking about the kind of support they needed to help them cope with bereavement. They discuss the role of family, friends, schools and other service providers such as the police, doctors and nurses. BUY HERE
A Heart that Works by Rob Delaney BOOK An intimate, unflinching and fiercely funny exploration of loss by a man who lost his toddler son to a brain tumour. Expand Rob Delaney's beautiful, bright, gloriously alive son Henry died. He was one when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. An experience beyond comprehension, but an experience Rob must share. Why does he feel compelled to talk about it, to write about it, to make people feel something like what he feels when he knows it will hurt them? Because, despite Henry's death, Rob still loves people. For that reason, he wants them to understand.A Heart That Works is an intimate, unflinching and fiercely funny exploration of loss - from the harrowing illness to the vivid, bodily impact of grief and the blind, furious rage that follows, through to the forceful, unstoppable love that remains. Buy on Amazon
A Shelter for Sadness BOOK: Children's book exploring the importance of grief. Expand Children are experiencing sadness to a far greater degree than is usual but how can they best manage that and how can they describe it? Anne Booth’s gentle text explores how a little boy creates a shelter for his sadness giving it a place where it can take on the many different shapes and moods it may arrive in. Having a safe place where he can engage with the sadness helps the boy to deal with the wide range of moods it may release in him. It also helps him to prepare for a time when he and the sadness may no longer need a shelter but can step out together into a better world. Inspired by the words of Holocaust survivor Etty Hillesum, A Shelter for Sadness is rich in emotion all of which is beautifully realised in David Litchfield’s illustrations. Buy on AMAZON
A Valley Journal Resources through blogs, articles and books on grief and how to handle it. WEBSITE: Living with loss grief resources. A useful website curated by Abi May. Expand A Valley Journal Resources through blogs, articles and books on grief and how to handle it. Visit the website