Chapter 4: Caring for Yourself
How can I get more support?
We hope that our Programme for Parents has provided you with support, tools, guidance to help you navigate this extremely difficult time. We understand that you may need more help, so below are some other support options for now or in the future.
If you need to discuss something urgently, then please contact the Samaritans on 116 123. And in emergency circumstances contact the emergency services on 999.
Sibling Support’s Helpline
Do you want to talk to someone? You can call Sibling Support’s new helpline with Child Bereavement UK on 0800 102 6175 for confidential support, information, and guidance.
The helpline is managed by Child Bereavement UK’s support practitioners and is available for young people up to the age of 25 in the UK whose brother or sister has died, their families, and professionals.
The helpline is available from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays). If you leave a message outside of these times someone will return your call as soon as possible on the next working day.
Child Bereavement UK
Support for Children, Young People, and Families from Child Bereavement UK.
Child Bereavement UK offers a range of support for children and young people up to the age of 25 and their families. This includes support sessions for individuals, couples, and families, as well as facilitated groups for young people, parents, and families.
There are also other charities out there who can support you and your family. Some may be better suited to you than others, but we’ve compiled a list if you are looking for additional support:
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Winston’s Wish supports bereaved children, their families, and the professionals who support them. They offer one off and consistent support, and have a dedicated online space, Talk Grief, for grieving teenagers and young adults. For parents and carers, they have monthly online ‘Growing with Grief’ talks to help you learn more about grief, and how it impacts children and young people.
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Grief Encounter supports bereaved children and young people. They work closely with individuals, families, schools and professionals and offer a range of services including one-to-one counselling, group workshops, music, art, and drama therapy, and residential and family fun days.
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The MBSS offers free, confident support to those seeking faith-specific bereavement support. The main area of support is for bereaved females over 18, but they also have a dedicated team working with primary school-aged children (4-11 years old). They offer free and confidential telephone and face-to-face support.
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Care for the Family is a Christian organisation who provide bereavement support for parents who have lost a child including online, day and weekend events where you can meet other bereaved parents.
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Young Minds is a mental health charity, but many of the feelings they talk about will be relevant to young people who are grieving, and they do have a dedicate grief section on their website.
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The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service understands the specific issues raised by bereavement from a Jewish perspective. They offer counselling in person, telephone and online for children, teenagers, and families.
Some books that may help.
There are lots of different books which can be beneficial for you and your children. There is no one book which is suitable for all situations, but here are some suggestions for all ages.
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This story gives us a window to all the emotions that we have when we are struggling with something in live. The book follows four unlikely friends and their emotions; the curious boy, the excited but greedy mole, the shy fox who has been hurt, and the clever horse. It’s made for people aged 12 and up, but we think it’s a good book for all ages.
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Breege, who shared her story as part of Programme for Parents, wrote this book to help young siblings' death with the death of their brother and or sister. The story is about the life and love between two brothers, Charlie and Ruairí, their time together, and Charlie’s journey navigating life after his brother’s death. It is suitable for ages 4 and up.
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The story follows the tree family who wake up to find the strongest tree has fallen in the wood and died. As the seasons change throughout the year that follows, the family are visited by a new animal offering advice and support. Best suited for children up to 11.
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This story follows a brother and sister who want their mum to stay in their room, so they don’t feel alone during a storm, but she teaches them about the invisible string which connects friends and family who are no longer here. It is best suited for people aged 4-8 years old.
Sibling Support has five free booklets which help support children of all ages when their brother and/or sister has died. They contain activities to work through looking at emotions, memories, and coping mechanisms.
* We also have Arabic and Urdu versions available to download from our website.
Grief Works: Stories of Life, Death and Surviving
- by Julie Samuel
We Get It: Voices of Grieving College Students and Young People
- by Heather Servaty-Seib and David Fajgenbaum
The Stars Will Still Be There: What My Daughter Taught Me About Love, Life and Loss
- by Nicola Nuttall
God Is an Octopus:
Loss, Love and a Calling
to Nature
- by Ben Goldsmith