National Services
The services listed below in alphabetical order have all subscribed to the CBN and offer a range of services nationally
Child Bereavement Charity
The Child Bereavement Charity's Support and Information Line on 01494 446648 offers a confidential service for bereaved families and professionals when a child has died and when a child is bereaved. The line is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm providing information and guidance, signposting to other agencies, support and resources. The CBC website has discussion fora for families and for professionals.
CBC has resources for bereaved children and young people, families and all professionals. It also offers a local family bereavement support service that includes support groups (CHYPS) for bereaved children who live in Buckinghamshire (see details in local services directory).
CBC's core activity is to design and provide training courses for health care and other professionals whose work brings them into contact with children and families experiencing loss and grief. Contact CBC on 01494 479750 or via training@childbereavement.org.uk for details of their national training programme.
Information and Support Line 01494 446648 or enquiries@childbereavement.org.uk
Website: www.childbereavement.org.uk
Childline
A 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.
Childline talks to more than 1,000 bereaved children and young people every year.
Also offers freepost service and schools outreach programme.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care is the major UK charity offering support to bereaved people, whatever their situation. Many local branches of Cruse offer individual or group support for bereaved children; information can be accessed independently by ringing Cruse directly on the Day by Day helpline (9.30am-5pm weekdays).
Cruse branches that are members of the Childhood Bereavement Network are listed individually in the Directory of local services (eg Oxford Cruse).
Cruse has a special website for young people, www.rdf4u.org.uk 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 also has a dedicated freephone helpline for young people, open 9.30am-5pm on weekdays.
Cruse offers a range of helpful publications about bereavement.
Address: Cruse Bereavement Care, PO Box 800, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1RG
Telephone: Day by Day helpline: 0844 477 9400
Young People's Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Administration: 020 8939 9530
Website: www.cruse.org.uk www.rd4u.org.uk
Sand Rose Project
Sand Rose provides one or two week breaks for bereaved families at a venue in Cornwall. It offers a quiet peaceful haven where families can be independent but know that they are in a suitable environment. The project extends to anyone who has experienced bereavement, although there is a particular emphasis on young families. Sand Rose does not provide a therapeutic or counselling programme, simply a venue for a break.
Address: Sand Rose Project, PO Box 70, Hayle, TR27 5WY
Telephone: 0845 607 6357
Website: www.sandrose.org.uk
Winston's Wish
Winston's Wish Helpline offers support, information and guidance to all those caring for a child of young person who has been bereaved. If you would like to talk about any aspect of supporting bereaved children and young peope, the Helpline is open on weekdays and all calls are charged at the local rate.
The website provides a range of information, access to Winston's Wish's work and resources as well as activities specifically for children and young people. There is a facility to ask quesions by email which will be answered by a trained clinician.
Winston's Wish have also developed a range of resources which are available through the Helpline. Books cover issues such as how to understand cancer and how to explain serious illness or suicide to a child. A range of memory boxes and activity sheets have been designed to help families keep meories alive. Winston's Wish also offers bespoke training.
Telephone: Family Line 0845 20 30 40 5
Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk
