Accessing Bereavement Support over the Festive Period
Grief Helplines & Websites
Dearest Gentle Reader,
This is less of a letter and I will be back to normal service in the new year but I needed an easily accessible place to post the following info just in case the subject of this podcast/newsletter accidentally brings someone here in need of support. I will be posting the basics on Instagram & Bluesky for the same reason.
If you you usually read my letters because you think open conversations about death and where it sits in our society and history are important, this might not be the content for you and I would obviously understand you ignoring me and heading back into whatever the festive season means to you.
However, if you are UK based and are looking for support please see below. This is accurate as of today (22.12.24) and combined from information from some of these organisations direct and from websites such as ataloss.org and The Good Grief Project:
Emergency Helplines for Christmas & New Year
GriefChat (available here) from ataloss.org
Christmas opening times for GriefChat are as follows:
Tues 24th Dec 9am - 12pm
Weds 25th Dec - Closed
Thursday 26th Dec - Closed
Friday 27th Dec - Open 9am - 9pm
Mon 30th Dec - Open 9am - 9pm
Tues 31st Dec - 9am - 12pm
Weds 1st Jan - Closed
Thurs 2nd Jan - Open 9am - 9pm
Fri 3rd Jan - Open 9am - 9pm
You can also access the following list & links at ataloss.org
NHS 111 Online
Call 111 & select option 2 to speak to the NHS Mental Health Crisis Response Service 24/7
Website: Mental health - NHS
Cruse Bereavement Support
Offers free, confidential support for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677 Website: Cruse Bereavement Support
Over the festive period the Helpline Phone Lines will be open
Christmas Eve (24th December): email service only
Christmas Day (25th December): 10am – 2pm
Boxing Day (26th December): closed
27th December: 10am – 2pm
28th December: email service only
29th December: closed
30th December: 10am – 2pm
New Years Eve (31st December): email service only
New Years Day (1st January): closed
National Email Service:
Our bereavement volunteers will respond to enquiries via our webform:
Monday and Friday: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 10am – 2pm
Marie Curie
Call our Support Line for practical or clinical information and emotional support if you're living with or caring for someone who has a terminal illness, or have experienced a bereavement, whatever your situation.
No one is turned away, so please do not hesitate calling if you need any kind of support.
You can call our Support Line 0800 090 2309 over Christmas during these days and times:
Monday 23 December – 8am-6pm
Tuesday 24 December (Christmas Eve) – 10am-4pm
Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day) – 10am-2pm
Thursday 26 December (Boxing Day) – 10am-4pm
Friday 27 December – 8am-6pm
Saturday 28 December – 10am-4pm
Sunday 29 December – 10am-4pm
Monday 30 December – 8am-6pm
Tuesday 31 December (New Year's Eve) – 10am-4pm
Wednesday 1 January (New Year's Day) – 10am-2pm
Further support available via their website
Papyrus
Under 35s can call 0800 068 4141, Text 88247 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org 24/7
Website: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide
Samaritans
Provides emotional support to anyone in distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
Helpline: 116 123 Website: Samaritans
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.
Helpline: 0800 02 888 40 Website: Child Bereavement UK
Winston's Wish
Provides support for bereaved children, young people, and their families.
Helpline: 08088 020 021 Website: Winston's Wish
Mind
Call MIND’s Mental Health Helpline 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Helpline: 0300 102 1234. Website: Mind
Shout 85258
The UK's free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support.
Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19. Website: Shout
Calm
Mental Health Forum & Chat for Men from 5pm - midnight every day.
Call or WhatsApp 0800 585 858 Website: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
You can also find more organisations, support and information at
“We want to help you find the support you need as quickly as possible. You will find stories from others who have had a similar loss, practical and emotional support and signposting to a choice of immediate tailored local and national support on each of our pages below.
Our hope is that you find useful information, helplines, advice and encouraging stories from others to help you in this most difficult of times and to find a way forward with your life.”
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/need-know-info/from-us-to-you/for-newly-bereaved/
I really hope some of this information is of help and that you get through this difficult season as lightly as possible. Remember, all grief is different, if it helps you don’t have to hide how you feel and sometimes talking to strangers can actually be of more benefit than those close to us.
Sending love to all those who are struggling and to those who are supporting them.