Coping with bereavement

This script provides support for people coping with bereavement from whatever cause. Whether you're grieving for someone yourself, are concerned about someone else dealing with a bereavement or encounter death professionally, there are a number of organisations which provide emotional help and practical information. It's sometimes easier to talk to someone who isn't close to you or emotionally involved.

Cruse Bereavement Care supports all bereaved people. They offer advice, support, help and information, no matter how recently or long ago you were bereaved. 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 a free phone helpline 0808 808 1677 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-5pm) and on their website at www.rd4u.org.uk.

The Childhood Bereavement Network has a directory of local and national childhood bereavement services offering information, guidance and support to bereaved children and their families. Find the services at www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk.

The Child Death helpline offers support to anyone affected by the death of a child, whatever age. The line is staffed by bereaved parents and you can call freephone 0800 282 986 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-1pm, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am-4pm and evenings 7pm-10pm). You can also visit their website at www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk.

The Compassionate Friends have local support groups, provide one-to-one support and run a helpline on 0845 123 2304 (every day 10am-4pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm). They also produce a range of publications for parents, children, grandparents and professionals. For more information on their services and copies of leaflets, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: The Compassionate Friends, 53 North Street, Bristol BS3 1EN or visit their website at www.tcf.org.uk.

There's also a website specifically for people dealing with the death of a brother or sister. The Compassionate Friends siblings website is at www.tcfsiblingsupport.org.uk.

The Child Bereavement Charity support and information team on 01494 446648 offer a confidential listening service to anyone affected by the death of a child, or who is caring for a bereaved child. Email support@childbereavement.org.uk for further help, or go to website www.childbereavement.org.uk.

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. Find out more by calling 0870 011 3450, email info@wayfoundation.org.uk or go to website www.wayfoundation.org.uk.

Winston's Wish supports children and young people to rebuild their life after a family bereavement. The website at www.winstonswish.org.uk contains a lot of material to support young people. The Winston's Wish family line offers practical support and guidance to anyone concerned about a grieving child on 0845 20 30 405 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm).

The National Association of Widows is a national charity offering support and friendship to widows and women who have lost their partners through bereavement, providing opportunities for women to develop a new sense of purpose as they face life on their own. Find out more at www.nawidows.org.uk.

The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) provide support for bereaved parents and their families when their baby dies, before, during or soon after birth. You can ring their helpline on 020 7436 5881 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-3pm). Support is also available for healthcare professionals. For further information visit their website at www.uk-sands.org.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) provide specialist emotional support and practical information for people bereaved by suicide. Call their national helpline on 0844 561 6855 (every day 9am-9pm), or go to their website www.uk-sobs.org.uk.

Road Peace can be contacted on local rate helpline 0845 4500 355 (every day 9am-9pm), providing practical and emotional support for people who have suffered injury or bereavement in a road crash. They can also offer advice on rights, choosing a lawyer and referrals to lawyers. Check out their website at www.roadpeace.org.

If you're feeling distressed and need someone to talk to, you can phone the 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.

If you are grieving for the loss of a pet, whether through death, or enforced separation, contact the Pet Bereavement Support Service free on 0800 096 6606 (every day 8.30am-8.30pm - with an answerphone outside these hours). The helpline puts you in touch with your nearest trained telephone befriender. You can visit their website at www.bluecross.org.uk and if talking about your bereavement is difficult you can e-mail pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.

The government website at www.direct.gov.uk contains a vast amount of practical information on death and bereavement and links to sites such as the court service for downloading probate application information, the Office of Fair Trading for choosing a funeral and information on financial help that you may be eligible for.

This message has been prepared and is updated regularly by New Media at Channel 4.

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