Losing someone or something that we love can make us feel sad. If you are old enough to love, you are old enough to feel grief. People often talk about grief when someone we love dies, but we can also feel grief about other things.
- Changing schools, leaving a loved teacher or friends
- A pet dying
- Family break up
- Someone going to prison
- Moving away from family and friends
- Losing something that is important
When someone we love dies, it’s normal to feel upset, sad and lonely. It’s often really hard to deal with grief and can be very helpful to get some support along the way.
Winston’s Wish offers practical support and guidance to bereaved children and young people who are dealing with the loss of a loved one, and to their families. For more information visit the website.
Call the free helpline on number 08088 020 021 or email ask@winstonswish.org
There is a drop-in for children, families and professionals 2pm – 3.30pm on the last Tuesday of each month at the Armadillo, Youth Centre and Café, Station Road, Yate, BS37 4FW
Everyone is different, and grief is different for each of us. There is no set way to grieve, it can be messy and full of ups and downs.
Talking can be one of the best things we can do when we have lost someone. Find someone who really listens to what you are thinking or feeling (and doesn’t try to tell you what they think you should be feeling). You don’t only have to talk about the person to people who knew them, you can also talk to people who they never met. Also remember you can choose when you talk about what has happened and who you talk to.
Remembering can help to think about the good times you had with the person who has died. You might like to talk to other people who knew them about their memories so you can share the memories or learn more about them. Different families do different things to remember a loved one. It might be that they go to church and light candles, they might have photos or special things that belonged to the person around the house. You can think of doing your own special thing to remember that person, like planting a tree or painting a picture or writing a poem.
After someone you love dies, it might feel like life will never be the same again. It takes some people longer than others to start feeling that the sadness is slowly getting less. You will never forget the person but after a while you might not think about them all of the time. This is normal and ok. It is good to realise that your loved one was part of your life but not all of your life.
When things are just too much, it might help to find somewhere where you can scream very loudly or to have a pillow that you can punch so you can let off steam.
Try to do the sorts of things that usually make you feel happier if you are sad or worried. It might be chatting with friends, playing music or going outside. Go to our ‘Looking after Yourself’ pages for more ideas.
- Childline is a helpline for children to talk about any problems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – call free on 0800 1111 or visit the website.
- If you are in an emergency and there is a risk to life (yours or someone else’s) call 999
- To report any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or young person call 01454 866000
There is more information in the ‘Getting help’ section.
Talk to a parent or carer or another adult you trust.
Your school can also help with your wellbeing – just ask a teacher or another member of staff.
Winston’s Wish offers practical support and guidance to bereaved children and young people who are dealing with the loss of a loved one, and to their families. For more information visit the website. Call the free helpline on number 08088 020 021 or email ask@winstonswish.org. There is a drop-in for children, families and professionals 2pm – 3.30pm on the last Tuesday of the every month at the Armadillo, Youth Centre and Café, Station Road, Yate, BS37 4FW
The Rainbow Centre – provides a haven of peace for children and their families suffering from the effects of a life threatening illness or death in the family. All services are provided free of charge. 27 Lilymead Avenue, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 2BY. Enquiries: 0117 985 3343 Email: contact@rainbowcentre.org.uk
The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) is the hub for those working with bereaved children, young people and their families across the UK. We underpin our members’ work with essential support and representation: bringing them together across localities, disciplines and sectors to improve bereavement care for children.
Grief Encounters Helpline 0808 802 0111 (Mon – Fri from 9am – 9pm)- Supporting bereaved children and their families to help alleviate the pain caused by the death of someone close. Services are free.
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Call 0800 02 88840 for more information.