Support for Children and Parents/Carers
We stand united as a community at this incredibly challenging time. We have compiled a range of resources and links to support services for families to utilise as and when they need.
CHILDREN
Below, there are websites you can visit and numbers available for further help and support:
Young Minds
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person is a great website with lots of helpful advice and activities to help us.
Winston's Wish
https://winstonswish.org/supporting-you/grief-support-young-people is a charity who have a website and telephone number to help children 08452 030405 (phone number)
Cruse Bereavement Support
https://www.hopeagain.org.uk is a website created by the charity Cruse. There are lots of videos and advice to help.
Alder Hey
Alder Hey is a children’s hospital who is here to help. They have a special phone line you can ring to talk to people about how you are feeling 0808 8006019 (phone number)
Childline
0800 1111 (phone number) Childline are a charity here to help children. They also have a website https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/feelings-emotions/getting-through-tough-time/
Kooth
Kooth (www.kooth.com) offer a free, safe and anonymous support for young people (10 years +) who want someone to understand, advice, or help for a friend.
Samaritans
116 123 (phone number) . The Samaritans also have a website with lots of helpful information, https://www.samaritans.org/wales/how-we-can-help/schools/young-people/
Child Bereavement UK
Ideas for teachers in schools as well as parents and children.
Helpline: 0800 02 888 40
http://childbereavementuk.org/
Hope Again
A website designed for young people by young people who have been bereaved (part of Cruse Bereavement Care).
0808 808 1677
PARENTS AND CARERS
Below are a number of resources designed to help support you and your children:
Sefton CVS
Sefton CVS have put together a list of support agencies in Southport as well as details of the Southport Stronger Together fundraiser. Please click the link Sefton CVS to view a full list of agencies.
Sefton in Mind
If you have been affected – directly or indirectly - by the tragic events in Southport, you can find a range of support at www.seftoninmind.org.uk
These pages provide information on how to access to a wide range of services in Sefton, including Crisis Support, Specialist Bereavement Support, Support for Men, Support for Women and Someone to Speak to.
Adult Bereavement Support - AtaLoss.org
The UK’s signposting website for bereaved people. Support services, information, helplines and helpful reads for anyone who has been bereaved, whatever their age, loss or background. Includes a searchable list of local, national and specialist services across the UK. A free, professional counselling web chat is also available. http://ataloss.org/
Parent/carer counselling support through Abel Health Resolutions - 0161 711 0574 or via the link Abel Health Resolutions
Liverpool CAMHS
Mersey Care’s mental health self-help guides contain verified information. They are written by NHS Clinical Psychologists with contributions from service users, healthcare, and voluntary sector staff.
https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com/reach-out/
Kind to Your Mind Liverpool is aimed at adults over 25 to guide you through steps you can take to protect and improve your wellbeing, overcome challenges and help you on your way to recovery.
Talking Therapies provide psychological treatments, sometimes called talking therapy, to help people with common mental health problems such as feeling stressed, feeling low in mood (depressed) or very nervous (anxiety).
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by the national mental health charity Chasing the Stigma and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
Bereavement
Many children and young people will experience bereavement, through the loss of a parent, sibling, grandparent or friend. Children can also face the loss of aloved animal or pet which can be as significant for them as losing a relative or friend.
The term ‘bereavement’ refers to the process of grieving and mourning and is associated with a deep sense of loss and sadness. It is a natural process; however its effects can be overwhelming.
One of the country’s leading childhood bereavement charities, Winston’s Wish,reports that children often feel isolated during their grief experience and may feel that nobody understands their feelings. Although experience of bereavement will be unique to the individual and it is very difficult to predict how someone will respond.
Certain reactions are common to children as well as adults. During bereavement, children and young people can experience a great numberof emotions, including sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, fear, denial, disbelief and confusion. With the right help and support, most children and young people will not require professional help or a ‘bereavement expert’; rather, as highlighted by the Child Bereavement Charity, what they do need is people who care and the understanding of familiar and trusted adults.