Help with Grief and Loss

When your child loses someone they knew or loved, it can be a really difficult time for them. Grief is an emotional response to loss and is a process that they may go through immediately or at a later point in their life.

They might be grieving because of:

• the death of a family member, like a parent, carer, grandparent or sibling
• the death of a friend, or someone they was close to
• a change in a relationship such as breaking up with a partner or someone within your family going through a divorce
• an illness of someone close to them, like cancer or dementia
• the loss of a relationship, like someone moving away or no longer being in their life regularly
• the loss or death of a pet

They may feel angry, sad or depressed, or even guilty or relieved. The way they grieve might be influenced by their culture, beliefs, or how your family and community understand loss.  There isn’t a right or wrong way to grieve.  They might not feel anything for a while but then experience delayed grief.

If they are struggling to come to terms with loss, finding daily life hard and things don’t seem to be getting any better, it can help for them to talk to someone.  Who they speak to will vary depending on trusted individuals or the type of support they may need.

In addition to family members, friends and teachers there are lots of services that can provide support to your child/children and your family:

Bolton Children and Young People’s Bereavement Service is provided by Bolton Lads and Girls Club and is for anyone aged 8 to 18 years who is struggling following the death of a loved one.

Grief Encounter have a helpline and online chat available 9am until 9pm Monday to Friday on 0808 802 0111

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service provide support for anyone living or working in Greater Manchester who is bereaved or affected by a death by any cause. They can call 0161 983 0902 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm excluding bank holidays) or email salccg.gm.bs@nhs.net

Winston’s Wish have a helpline available to anyone up to 25 years old from 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday on 08088 020 021

Kooth provides anonymous text based counselling to anyone aged 10 – 25 living in Bolton.