Grief is a pain no-one can understand until they experience it. It’s all consuming and people can feel like they have nowhere to turn or nothing left to live for. But this is completely not the case. There are people out there who can help you.
I wanted to put together a post, after hearing some terribly sad news, of helplines people can contact if they need support. Click on the charities name to be directed to their website for more information.
Cruse Helpline
The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.
The Cruse National Helpline will be open as usual over the holiday period, offering a listening ear and emotional support to anyone who has lost someone they love, or been affected by a bereavement. All calls are answered by trained Cruse volunteers.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677.
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when we’re open until 8pm.
The Compassionate Friends
TCF offers many different kinds of support for bereaved families. Whatever the cause of your loss, wherever you are in the UK, and whatever your circumstances – they are here to help.
Helpline: 0345 123 2304.
Email: info@tcf.org.uk
SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
SOBS exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend, aiming to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other.
Helpline: 0300 111 5065
Email: mail.support@uksobs.org
Read more about a SOBS support group here.
Support after Murder and Manslaughter
If you have lost someone dear to you through murder or manslaughter you are not alone. SAMMS offers a confidential telephone help line where you can talk to someone who has experienced the devastating effects of this most distressing crime.
Helpline: 0121 472 2912 or 0845 872 3440
Confidential and Emotional Supportline
SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. The Helpline is primarily a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. SupportLine is a member of the Helplines Association. SupportLine also provides support by email and post.
Helpline: 01708 765200
Email: info@supportline.org.uk
RoadPeace
National charity for bereaved and injured road traffic victims, which provides information and support through its helpline, literature, local groups, and contact with people who have suffered a similar experience.
Helpline: 0845 4500 355 9am-9pm daily.
Grief Encounter
When a child’s parent or significant loved one dies, their lives change forever. As well as the sadness they feel, they are often left confused and full of fear and anxiety. Grief Encounter helps families address difficult issues such as death and we help make sense of the hurt and confusion. Above all, we aim to help them find ways out of the abyss of grief.
Tel: 0808 802 0111
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish supports children and young people to rebuild their life after a family bereavement, the Winston’s Wish family line offers practical support and guidance to anyone concerned about a grieving child.
Helpline: 08088 020 021
Child Bereavement UK
Our vision is that when a child dies or is bereaved, all grieving children, young people and families have access to quality support and information relevant to their individual needs from appropriately trained professionals and to make a real difference to bereaved families through providing accessible quality support and information to all affected by the death of a child or when children are bereaved, and accessible quality training for the professionals who work with these families and children.
Support & Information: 0800 02 888 40.
Widowed and Young (WAY)
WAY is the only national charity in the UK for people aged 50 or under when their partner died. It’s a peer-to-peer support group operating with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves, so they understand exactly what other members are going through.
More information here.
The Samaritans
24 hour helpline support every day of the year for anyone in distress including those who are feeling suicidal.
Telephone: 08457 90 90 90
Email: jo@samaritan.org
READ MORE: What happens when you call the Samaritans?
Miscarriage Association
Originally founded by people who had experienced miscarriage it continues to provide support and encourage good care by professionals.
Telephone: 01924 200799
Macmillan Cancer Support
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer whether they have been diagnosed themselves or are a family member, carer or friend.
Telephone: 0808 808 0000
Mon- Fri 9am – 9pm
The Blue Cross
Telephone and email support following the loss of a companion animal.
Telephone: 0800 096 6606
Everyday 8.30am – 8.30pm
Wellbean blog 