Child bereavement in Gloucestershire
Where to get advice and information We understand that this page has been referred to you at a very distressing time. The loss of a child is a life changing event and understandably you will experience a wide range of emotions. We hope that you will find useful information on this page that meets your individual needs.
Local information
You can find information and advice about bereavement at NHS.UK.
Gloucestershire Community Children’s Nursing Team
Providing community (home) based nursing care and support to children and their families, including end of life care and bereavement support.
Tel: 0300 421 8299
Website: www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/childrenscommunity-nursing/
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Providing immediate support following the death of a child in the Emergency Department, Neonatal Unit or Children’s Unit. The Bereavement Service would be happy to help arrange a meeting with you, to discuss any questions you may have about your child’s care and death. This may include your child’s consultant paediatrician or members of the nursing team.
Bereavement midwifes within the trust, support bereaved families from the Delivery Suite (for babies born at over 16 weeks gestation), Ward 9a and the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU). They have resources for bereaved siblings as well as signposting information for parents. They can also help with memory making.
Forget me not baby loss support group - Facebook / Hucclecote
An informal, welcoming peer support group that meets each month – run by bereaved parents, for bereaved parents.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/193625677798494/
Acorns Children’s Hospice Worcester
Acorns provide specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened babies, children and young people and support for their families. Skilled teams offer nursing care at end of life in the hospice, and families can choose to use a special bedroom where their child can be cared for after death. The team also offer therapeutic based pre and post bereavement support on a one to one basis or in groups, sibling support and practical support in planning the funeral.
Tel: 01905 767 676
Website: www.acorns.org.uk
Young Glos
This is a countywide charity that supports young people (aged 11 to 25) who are facing challenges in their lives. The charity provides training and development, practical support and community involvement to young people across Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01452 501 008
Website: www.youngglos.org.uk
Gloucestershire Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP)
Government legislation requires that the death of every child or young person should be reviewed by the local Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP).
Information about your child and how they died is collected and reviewed to try and identify any factors which may improve the health and wellbeing of children and families in the future. This information is shared with the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD).
Further information about the local review is available in the Information for Parents, Families and Carers leaflet which you have been given along with your Child bereavement in Gloucestershire leaflet. If you have not received a copy, please visit:
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/mx4jhzis/cdop-leaflet-info-for-parents-august-2024.pdf
Bereavement Service at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Bereavement Service will be given details of the death and they will arrange for the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to be completed by the doctor as soon as possible. In certain cases, the death will need to be discussed with the coroner. This may result in a delay in being able to register the death. Parent/carers will be advised to telephone the Bereavement Service at the hospital.
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 6742
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Cheltenham General Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 4753
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Registration of Death service
To arrange an appointment please call or access online or contact the Bereavement Service who can assist you:
Tel: 01452 425 060
Website: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths-and-civil-partnerships/
The Registration Service will explain, during your telephone appointment, how you will receive copies of the death certificate. Please allow up to 45 minutes for this appointment.
If the death has been reported to the coroner, you will be informed by the coroner’s office when they have sent the necessary paperwork to the registration office. You can then make an appointment to register the death.
Coroner
If there is a coroner’s investigation into the death of your child, the coroner’s officer will contact you at the beginning of this process and support you throughout. You can get more information about the coroner’s role in a leaflet, please request this from the hospital team involved.
GP – Social prescribing link worker
Social prescribing link workers play a vital role within GP surgeries delivering social prescribing. They give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. This may include connecting them to the appropriate services and/or groups. Social prescribing link workers develop trusting relationships and provide personalised support, including bereavement support.
Please contact your GP today, if you feel you would benefit from a discussion with the social prescriber at your surgery.
National information
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and those who care for them. Expert teams offer one off and ongoing bereavement support. They also provide online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals.
Tel: 08088 020 021
Website: www.winstonswish.org
Hope Again
This is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where young people who are facing grief can share their stories with others. Here you will find advice about how to deal with your loss and a listening ear from other young people.
Tel: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK
Supporting families and educating professionals when a child dies and when a child is bereaved.
Tel: 0800 02 888 40
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Child Death Helpline
This is a freephone helpline offering support for anyone affected by the death of a child.
Tel: 0800 282 986
Website: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Young Lives vs Cancer
Helping children and young people with cancer.
Tel: 0300 303 5220 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm)
Email: GetSupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk
Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk
Together for Short Lives
Supporting children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and all those who support, love and care for them. Information and advice for professionals, families and services.
Tel: 0808 8088100
Website: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Road Peace
A charity for road crash victims, supporting those bereaved or injured, and working for road safety.
Tel: 0800 160 1069
Website: www.roadpeace.org
SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter)
SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. There is no time limit on becoming a member. Services are open to everyone regardless of how long ago they were bereaved.
Tel: 0121 472 2912 or 07342 888570
Website: www.samm.org.uk
Sunflowers Suicide Support
Sunflowers Suicide Support offers a range of trauma-informed interventions, catering to the holistic needs of children, young people, and adults bereaved and affected by suicide.
Tel: 01453 826990
Website: www.sunflowerssuicidesupport.org.uk
Heart Heroes
Heart Heroes supports both children and families affected by lifelong heart conditions through inclusive projects, subsidised trips and events, family support in hospital, mental health and well-being support, and much more!
Website: www.heartheroes.co.uk
Dad Matters
Dad matters aim to support dads with anxiety, stress and mental health issues. They provide one-on-one support sessions offering practical advice, emotional support and a safe space to talk. Peer support groups are also provided.
Contact: dadmatters@homestartsd.org.uk
Website: www.dadmatters.org.uk/gloucestershire
Marshalling Men’s Minds
A support group for men struggling with their mental health. Providing face to face support groups in Gloucestershire for men wanting to improve their mental health.
Email: info@marshallingmensminds.co.uk
Website: Facebook page – Marshalling Men’s Minds
Neonatal information, signposting and resources
Miscarriage Association
Offering information and support to help with miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancies.
Tel: 01924 200 799
Website: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
Offering emotional support and information to anyone affected by the death of a baby.
Tel: 0808 164 3332
Website: www.sands.org.uk
Lullaby Trust (formerly FSID)
Provides specialist support for bereaved families and anyone after the sudden death of an infant.
Tel: 0808 802 6868
Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Bliss
Information, support and counselling for families with babies ‘born too small, too soon, too sick’
Tel: 020 7378 1122
Website: www.bliss.org.uk
Counselling information
Cruse Bereavement Care
Telephone, face-to-face and group support is delivered by trained bereavement support volunteers all over the UK.
Tel: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
SAMARITANS
Available 24 hours a day providing emotional support for those in distress and despair.
Tel: 116 123
Website: www.samaritans.org
Compassionate Friends
Supporting the bereaved and their families by those similarly bereaved.
Tel: 0345 123 2304
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
A Child of Mine
Offers support and information to anyone affected by the death of a child.
Tel: 07803 751 229 (9:00am to 5:00pm)
Website: www.achildofmine.org.uk
2wish
Providing immediate and ongoing support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected loss of a child or young person aged 25 and under. Support includes memory boxes, immediate emotional and practical support, counselling and play therapy, group support and residential retreats.
Tel: 01443 853125
Website: www.2wish.co.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Providing a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other.
Tel: 0300 111 5065 (9:00am to 7:00pm Sunday to Friday)
Website: https://uksobs.com
Beautiful Inside and Out (Scio)
Supporting bereaved parents and siblings of suicide victims.
Website: www.beautifulinsideandoutscio.com
Practical help and advice
Bereavement Benefits Service (DWP)
Advice and guidance on financial support available to help with funeral costs.
Website: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
Partnership for Children
A charity which promotes the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children.
Website: www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/
Citizens Advice
Providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and support.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Children’s Funeral Charity
Practical support, guidance and financial help for families in England and Wales who have to arrange a funeral for a baby or child aged 16 or under.
Tel: 01480 276 088
Website: www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk/
While the charities listed on this page are well known on a local or national basis, the authors of the page cannot confirm their current working practices at the time you access support or information.