Jemma is a Bereavement Support Practitioner at Winston’s Wish for their online and helpline services; providing advice, support and guidance to young people, parents and caregivers as well as professionals. We had a really interesting chat with Jemma about the services that Winston’s Wish provide, but also about how to communicate with children about death and how we grow around grief. 

Claire also shared her own personal story, supporting a family who are very close to her following the death of a parent. 

We talked about: 

• The key messages when someone calls the Winston’s Wish helpline. 
• That it’s OK not to feel sad and not to cry when someone dies. 
• Whether you can make things worse by talking with family and friends about death and dying (you can’t!). 
• Taking children’s lead in these situations and being as open and honest with them as possible. 
• Communication around bereavement with much younger children.  
• The death of the Queen and what impact this had. 
• What happens after someone has died and what support is good to offer while life inevitably moves on – how to continue to remember and honour the person who has died. 
• Where the name ‘Winston’s Wish’ came from! 
• 3 key things to be aware of when someone dies. 

Winston’s Wish Website 

Helpline number: 08088 020 021

Instagram - @bespokefamily / @winstonswish 

Facebook - @bespokefamily / @winstonswish 

Our bereavement blogs 

‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars) including Welcoming your Newborn / Caring for your Newborn - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’ 

Bespoke Family 1:1 Parent Consultations: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations