The Mummy Diaries

November 2007

The following script provides support for children and young people whose parents have serious incurable illness or who have died, and for those caring for them.

Please note that freephone numbers may be charged for by some mobile phone services.

Winston's Wish help children and young people who have a parent or family member who's seriously ill or help them rebuild their lives after a family death. They offer practical support and guidance to families, professionals and anyone concerned about a grieving child. The Winston's Wish family line offers practical support and guidance to anyone concerned about a grieving child on 08452 03 04 05 (local rate Mondays - Fridays 9am - 5pm). The website at www.winstonswish.org.uk contains a lot of material to support young people and a special adult-free zone.

The Princess Royal Carers Trust runs projects for young people and children who do a lot to look after someone in their family. You can find out if there's a project near you by going to www.youngcarers.net where you can also contact other young carers.

There's support and advice on all aspects of caring for someone on the CarersLine 0808 808 7777 (free, anytime to leave your details for an information pack to be sent to you, Wednesday & Thursday 10am - 12 noon, 2 - 4pm to speak to an advisor). You can also check out their website at www.carersuk.org.

Cancerbackup free helpline is for cancer patients, their families and their friends. Staffed by experienced cancer information nurse specialists, they can answer questions on any cancer including treatments, emotional support, practical advice and details of local support groups. Call 0808 800 1234 (free Mondays - Fridays 9am - 8pm, also free from most mobiles). The website at www.cancerbackup.org.uk is packed with information.

Macmillan Cancer Support provides expert care and practical and emotional support for people living with cancer, including families, friends and carers. CancerLine 0808 808 2020 (free confidential service Mondays - Fridays 9am - 9pm). You can also email to cancerline@macmillan.org.uk or go to their website at www.macmillan.org.uk.

If you're aged between 12 and 21 years old and need someone to talk to you can call the Macmillan YouthLine 0808 808 0800 (free, confidential number that won't show on your phone bill Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm), or email youthline@macmillan.org.uk.

If you're caring for someone who is terminally ill, Hospice Information offers details on hospice and palliative care services. They help patients, families and carers to identify services and resources. Call 0870 903 3903 (national rate Mondays - Fridays 9am - 5pm). Or access their website at www.hospiceinformation.info where you can search for hospice services in your area.

The WAY Foundation provides a self-help social and support network for men and women widowed up to the age of 50, and their children. The main aim is to help those widowed when young to rebuild their lives by helping one another. WAY has many local coordinators and you can find out more by calling 0870 011 3450 or email info@wayfoundation.org.uk. Their website at www.wayfoundation.org.uk includes a downloadable membership form.

The National Association of Widows offer support and friendship to men and women of any age who have lost their partners through bereavement, via a network of branches. Find out more at www.nawidows.org.uk.

Cruse Bereavement Care supports all bereaved people. They offer advice, support, help and information, no matter how recently or long ago your loved one died. To find out about all the Cruse services, call their helpline on 0844 477 9400 (Mondays - Fridays 9.30am - 5pm). The number of your local branch will be in the phone book or you can visit their website at www.cruse.org.uk.

Cruse also runs services aimed specifically at supporting young people aged 12 to 18 on 0808 808 1677 (free, Mondays - Fridays 9.30am - 5pm) and at the website www.rd4u.org.uk.

If you're feeling distressed and need someone to talk to, you can phone Samaritans at any time of day or night on 08457 90 90 90. Email support is available through jo@samaritans.org and their website is at www.samaritans.org.

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