Support Agencies for the Bereaved & Grieving

Support Groups & Organisations for the Terminally Ill & Bereaved

Having the support of external bodies, support groups and people who understand what you are going through is invaluable. They can provide emotional, practical and financial advice and point you in the direction of the further help that you need.

Support groups understand how you are feeling and what you have to cope with on a day to day level. There is no one who can understand you situation better than someone who is going through or has already gone through it. If you want details of local support groups that you can physically attend then the best starting point is your local GP but you can also find help from your local council, citizens advice, local newspaper or hospital unit where you are getting treatment.

Ask your doctor or nurse for details of specific local groups and also check notice boards for details of groups in your local area. Although you may be apprehensive about attending such groups, the support you will gain will far outweigh any initial concern you may feel.

Some people would rather cope within their own family and other people feel an immediate need for external support. As a carer it is vital you seek out external support as the person who is ill is in no position to be offering you the shoulder you need to maintain your strength. Don’t be scared to look for or ask for help. There is only so much one person can cope with alone and if this is going to be a long journey then you should take whatever assistance is offered.

In this section you will find a series of links to specialist information, advice and support networks whether you are terminally ill, caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness or bereaved.

Terminal illness support networks

Cancerbackup - Europe's leading cancer information charity, offering up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Heart disease is Britian’s biggest killer. Information and support is available through this site.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - can help you find a local qualified counsellor or psychotherapist.

If I Should Die - website which covers dealing with terminal illness and bereavement.

Samaritans - a confidential support helpline for anyone in immediate crisis. 24-hour helpline: 0845 790 9090

Surgery door - website containing details of support groups across the UK .

Help the Hospices - UK hospice charity organisation.

Macmillan - nurses who can help care for you in your own home.

Mesothelioma - One of the most comprehensive sites on mesothelioma, providing facts about palliative care, nutrition, and chemotherapy.

Children support networks

ChildLine - a free helpline for children to talk about their problems. 24-hour helpline: 0800 1111

Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.

ACT is a UK organisation working to improve care and services for all children in the UK with life-threatening or terminal conditions and their families.

React - Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with Potentially Terminal illness.

Bereavement support networks

SAMM - SAMM (Support after Murder and Manslaughter) is a registered charity which supports over 3000 family and friends of murdered victims across England, Wales, Ireland etc. All our volunteers, who do the supporting, have themselves been bereaved by murder or manslaughter so know exactly how someone else in the same situation would feel.

Cruse Bereavement Care - a national charity offering counseling and support, to the bereaved. Tel: 0870 167 1677

National Association of Widows - run by widows for widows.

Children

The Child Bereavement Trust - supporting children who have lost someone.

Childhood Bereavement Network - help and support for bereaved children, their parents and care givers.

Cruse for Children - youth part of Cruse Bereavement Care.

The Compassionate Friends - Support for bereaved parents and their families.

Cancer

Inside Cancer Cancer web sites for patients and families

Association for International Cancer Research

Cancer Help

Cancer Backup

National Cancer Institute

Macmillan

Cancer Journey Support and advice on all aspects of living with cancer

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Foundation

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Care