Charities unite to offer 'seamless' grief support

It is hoped the partnership will ensure that people, whatever their age, "always have somewhere to turn"

A partnership between two national bereavement charities will help provide "seamless" grief support from childhood to adulthood.

Children's charity Winston's Wish was founded in Gloucester in 1992, while the Sue Ryder hospice centre, which focuses on adults over 18, is the only inpatient unit for specialist palliative care in Gloucestershire.

It is hoped by working together "a vital bridge" will be made to provide "genuine wraparound care" for families affected by grief, deputy CEO and director of services at Winston's Wish, Letizia Perna, said.

She added: "We understand grief has no timeline and this collaboration means there is always somewhere to turn."

Sue Ryder provides bereavement support and palliative and end-of-life care for people with a terminal illness, while Winston's Wish offers bereavement support to children and young people aged 25 or under.

The partnership means when someone with young people in their lives receives support from Sue Ryder, help will also be offered to the children through Winston's Wish. Sue Ryder will take over the care once they are over 18 years old.

Ms Perna said: "What it also means for our children and young people is they will be able to continue to get support they have been used to throughout their younger lives, through Sue Ryder.

"It might be a place to check in once in a while or it may be at different points in their lives they feel the need for more intensive bereavement counselling."

The charities will also provide mutual training for staff and will work together to advocate for grief support in the UK.

Bianca Neumann, clinical director of grief and bereavement at Sue Ryder, said: "Ultimately, through this partnership, we want to change how society understands and responds to grief."