Bereavement support

Important update: Unfortunately our bereavement support service is temporarily on pause to new referrals, we will be re-opening our service soon. In the interim, GriefChat is available to offer online support using the link below and please do not hesitate to contact our clinical administration team for advice and assistance, where we can support with signposting to Organisations we work alongside. 

We understand that the death of a child is one of the most heart-breaking experiences a family will ever go through. Even though grieving is a natural response, it can be so painful and overwhelming that day-to-day living may become hard to manage. Sometimes additional help is needed — someone to talk to who will listen in a different way.

If you need support now Griefchat is available 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday via the chat box at the bottom of this page.

Adult and child hands clasped

How we can support you

We offer free confidential bereavement support to families following the death of their child; individually with a bereavement support practitioner or counsellor, and through groups and remembrance days.

We have an experienced bereavement team who have dedicated time to offer support to you and your family. Our support is available to bereaved families within our geographical area, whether or not we have previously known their child.

We aim to provide a safe space to talk through thoughts and feelings and find ways of coping within a supportive, confidential, and professional relationship. Everyone’s journey is different and our team are here to support families whatever they are feeling.

GriefChat

Grief Chat Logo Sml1

If you need immediate bereavement support, you can chat online with a specially trained bereavement counsellor by clicking on the GriefChat box below. GriefChat is a completely free service and is available Monday - Friday, 9am-9pm (except Bank Holidays).

GriefChat counsellors are experienced in supporting bereaved people and will listen to your story, explore how your grief is affecting you and help you to find any additional support you might need.

GriefChat provides emotional support for bereaved people, access to trained bereavement counsellors and referral into other specialist bereavement services.

Our service

We offer support to families who have experienced the death of a baby, child, or young person under the age of 25 years.

Exceptions to this – Families who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth or families who have lost a child or young person to suicide that were not previously involved with Martin House. We can contact these families to provide information on other organisations and charities that are specialists in bereavement support in these situations.

Our offer is made up of:

  • meetings for individuals or couples
  • groups sessions for bereaved parents
  • group sessions for bereaved brothers and sisters
  • group sessions for grandparents

Support Groups

Bereaved parent group

This group allows parents and carers space and time for reflection through discussion in a group with others who are in similar circumstances who understand and can give valuable support.

Bereaved parents with new babies

This group meets regularly to support expectant or new mums and dads who have previously been bereaved of a child and were supported by Martin House. Parents have a space to share their worries and anxieties with others in a similar situation.

Bereaved sibling group

This group offers bereaved brothers and sisters a chance to come together to work through their grief whilst having fun with others who understand. The sessions are held on the same day as the bereaved parent group and are facilitated by our experienced staff.

The group is an opportunity to meet other children in a similar situation, and to see that there is no right or wrong way to feel.  We also help them to develop resources for times in the future when they might particularly miss their brother or sister. The age group for this group are between 7 - 16 years.

Bereaved grandparent group

This group offers grandparents a space to meet and share experiences with other grandparents. It offers space and time for reflection on their own grief journey, as many are so involved in supporting their children that they don’t find time to acknowledge their own feelings.

 

Light up a Life

We hold Light up a Life services across the region during December. This provides further opportunities for family members to remember their loved ones.

Remembrance Day

Every year, we have a Day of Remembrance at the hospice for children that have died within the last two years.

Referral criteria

We accept referrals which relate to the death of a baby, child or young person, including sudden and unexpected death, but not related to miscarriage or stillbirth as these are covered by other organisations and charities.

If the child was known to us prior to his or her death, the referral will be automatically accepted. For those that have never used our services, the upper age limit for referral is 25.

Referral forms

Anyone can refer e.g. health, social or education professionals. Parents or carers can also self-refer. To refer, please complete one of our referral forms.

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