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School girl dealing with mixed emotions

In the UK, 1 in 29 5 to 16 year-olds has been bereaved of a parent or sibling – that’s one child in every average class.

Launched in 2016 by Stand-by-me, Contact-me was specifically created to give children/young people additional support in schools when they have lost a close family member such as a parent or sibling. Contact-me is designed to be a structured way for schools to support students who experience bereavement.

Developed by a former headteacher the programme gives children/young people the opportunity to nominate a trusted adult in their school who can be there for them when they feel down, who can support them if things get difficult and who can remember special anniversaries. It also equips teachers and school staff with the knowledge and confidence to support bereaved children/young people in their care.

tailored Support

Contact-me is the missing piece of support for bereaved students

As a Contact-me school you can refer your student directly into Stand-by-me for assessment. Check here to see if your school has signed upUnfortunately, we cannot accept referrals from non-Contact-me Schools.

Additionally, Contact-me school staff can join our monthly Zoom drop-ins. These sessions take place on the first Monday of each month from 3:30-4:30pm. It’s a great opportunity to discuss any bereaved students you’re assisting at school with the Contact-me team. We are here to assist you with any worries or enquiries you might have.

For further advice on supporting a bereaved student, please call or email our Bereavement Support Manager lisa@stand-by-me.org.uk / 07444 201197

School child dealing with grief

Signs of Grief

How do children/young people show grief at school?

Often things that happen within school go unnoticed because they are considered disruptive or abnormal behaviour when they are actually signs of grief:

  • Tears
  • Deterioration in schoolwork
  • Unwanted behaviours
  • Angry outbursts, fighting, regressive behaviours
  • Illness, pains and eating difficulties
  • Tiredness (often due to sleeping difficulties)
  • Emotional issues – feeling alone, not making friends
  • Worrying about death

Training


We often receive requests from professionals for training to help them support bereaved children and young people they work with. Although we don’t routinely offer training courses, if you have a particular request, please contact us to see how we may be able to help.

Any training courses or workshops we have available will be advertised below. Please get in touch to find out more. 

Bereavement Training for Secondary Schools – Now Booking for Spring 2025

Find Out More

Bereavement Training for Primary Schools – Now Booking for Spring 2025

Find Out More

Bereavement Training for Early Years Staff

Find Out More

Useful Resources


Shout

Shout is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. To start a conversation, text the…

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Sibling Support

Sibling Support helps young people whose brother or sister – a sibling – has died. The site is also filled with help for parents, professionals. Sibling Support

Grief and Bereavement

Bereavement Support Resources in Other Languages

Child Bereavement UK have produced a number of bereavement support resources translated into; Arabic, Danish, Farsi, Spanish, Swedish, Tigrinya and Ukrainian. The National Bereavement Alliance’s Grief…

Grief and Bereavement

Spencer & Daisy open up about the death of a sibling

Made in Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews speaks with Daisy from Stand-by-me about their journeys following the death of a sibling. The podcast, created by Global’s Make Some…

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Sandbox

The Sandbox is an NHS-funded service to support children and young people in Hertfordshire and  South Staffordshire with their mental health and well-being.  Sandbox

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How gaming helps Hugo remember his dad

Children in need asked Hugo to help them spread the word on how gaming can have a positive effect. Hugo (14) was just 12 when he…

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Childhood Bereavement Network

The CBN is the hub for those working with bereaved children, young people and their families across the UK. Offering essential support and representation to children…

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YoungMinds Parents’ Helpline

The Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25. You may have questions about…

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Mind

Provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Mind Website

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Winston’s Wish

Supporting bereaved children and providing specialist child bereavement support services across the UK, including in-depth therapeutic help in individual, group and residential settings. Winston’s Wish Website

Grief and Bereavement

Grief Encounter

Free support to bereaved children and their families to help alleviate the pain caused by the death of someone close. Grief Encounter Website

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Cruse Bereavement Support

National charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland offering support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies. Cruse…

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Child Bereavement UK

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…

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Hope Again

Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope…

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Help 2 Make Sense

UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. Help 2 Make Sense Website

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Young Minds

UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. Young Minds Website

Mental Health

Apart of me

Apart of Me is a game designed to help you cope with the death of a loved one. Based on psychological research, the app provides a safe virtual space…

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Grief Encounter Workbook

A workbook to encourage conversations with children, young people and adults about death. Grieving is hard work, especially for parents and children in deep grief. The…

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Anxiety UK

Anxiety UK is a dedicated, friendly and approachable charity that believes that anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression are treatable and manageable. It offers a range of…

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Papyrus

The national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might…

Helplines

Childline

A free, private and confidential service where you can talk about    anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, Childline are there online and on…

Helplines

Samaritans

When people feel listened to, it can save a life. The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your…

Helplines

BetterSleep

Combines over 100 relaxation sounds, melodies, binaural beats and white noise, allowing you to create your very own relaxing soundscapes.

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Happify

The Happify app is a way to make a game of all the positive psychology tricks you know might work, but make you feel kind of…

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WellMind

WellMind is a free NHS mental health and wellbeing app designed to help with stress, anxiety and depression. The app includes advice, tips and tools to…

General Wellbeing

Breathe2Relax

The relaxation app trains you on the ‘belly breathing’ technique that has proven benefits for your overall mental health. Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool…

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Smiles and Tears

An interactive tool to record memories, send gifts and write thoughts, feelings and emotions. Also includes tips on how to manage emotions such as anger, confusion,…

Grief and Bereavement
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