Winston's Wish: Grief support for children and young people

“Knowing that you aren’t the only young person grieving can be life-changing” is what Winstons’ Wish believes. Whether you are a young person seeking support for yourself, or a parent, caregiver, or friend looking to support a young person in your life, Winston's Wish can be an excellent place to turn. The UK’s first childhood bereavement charity since 1992 -  they are dedicated to helping bereaved children, teenagers, and young adults to navigate their grief.

Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people (up to 25), and those who care for them. They offer a range of services from essential information, to online resources, and one-off and ongoing bereavement support. For more personalised support, they also offer 1-2-1 sessions with counsellors. 

Typically, children as young as 7-8 can receive one-to-one support, while support for those under 7-8 is directed towards their caregivers. Young people over 13 can fill out a self-referral form, and those under 13 can do so with the help of a parent or guardian. The best way to get in touch would be through any of their ‘on-demand’ services; email, live chat, or through their helpline.

One of their great youth-led initiatives is ‘Talk Grief’, an online platform created for grieving teenagers and young adults (aged 13 to 25). It is a safe space where young people can express their feelings, connect with others who understand or relate to what they are going through, and access helpful resources. The platform features advice and support articles written by Winston's Wish experts and Youth Ambassadors, personal stories to help young people feel less alone, and interactive tools like activities and videos to guide them through their emotions. 

They also host monthly online sessions led by bereavement professionals and have recently launched a podcast called ‘Grief in Common’ where, “young people from different backgrounds have honest conversations about their grief and experiences”. One episode features an honest and open mother-daughter chat about their experience of losing a partner and father to suicide. 

If you or someone you know is a young person struggling with grief, visit Talk Grief to explore the resources available and connect with a supportive community.