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Long term or life-limiting illness

Below you will find local support and national organisations recommended for anyone who is bereaved through a life-limiting condition or long term disease.

Local support to you in East Suffolk:

LivingGrief

(from St Elizabeth Hospice)

  • Free information, group and individual counselling to any adult in East Suffolk who is bereaved through a life limiting or progressive illness or COVID-19.

  • Support is face to face in Ipswich or via video or phone

  • Phone: 0300 303 5196 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)

Go to LivingGrief

Suffolk Cruse

  • Free bereavement support to adults and specialist support to children and young people.     

  • Information on website, one to one bereavement support via zoom or phone (6 sessions)

Go to Suffolk Cruse

565 Service

(from St Elizabeth Hospice)

  • Free support for children and young people in East Suffolk following the death of an adult with a life limiting or progressive disease or COVID -19.  

  • Advice available for parents and professionals working with young people.

  • Phone: 0300 303 5196 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)

Go to 565 Service

East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)

  • EACH offers bereavement support to family members and significant others affected by the death of a child under 18 who has died from a life-limiting condition 

  • A range of therapeutic interventions and support groups can be offered to individuals or families either face to face or online.

  • Contact by phone 01223 800800 or via their referral form

Go to EACH

Compassionate Friends

  • Free support for bereaved parents and their families  whatever the age of the child  

  • Online information, Facebook groups and events, community forum and helpline  

  • Helpline:  0345 123 2304 open 10-4pm and then 7-10pm every day of the year

  • Your nearest local support group takes place at Rowhedge, near Colchester every 2nd Sunday of the month from 3pm-5pm.

  • Phone via national number: 0345 123 2304  

Go to Compassionate Friends

National organisations:

Sue Ryder

  • Free support for adults 2 months + after a bereavement   

  • Online information, 6 online counselling sessions and access to an online peer support community.

  • Free support for adults 2 months & after a bereavement   

  • Online information, 6 online counselling sessions and access to an online peer support community.

  • Sue Ryder is offering UK residents grief support via text message, *free of charge* for a full year.

  • This is a wonderful way to offer bereaved family members extra support over the holidays, and all year long.

  • Access the text service here.

Go to Sue Ryder

The Way Foundation (Widowed and Young)

  • For anyone who has lost a partner before their 51st birthday.   

  • 24/7 helpline and online peer support community.   

  • Phone: 0870 011 3450 

Go to The Way Foundation

Child Bereavement UK

  • Child Bereavement UK helps children, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

  • Supports children and young people up to the age of 25 who are facing bereavement, and anyone affected by the death of a child of any age.

  • Offers free, confidential support by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. 

  • Phone: 0800 02 888 40

Go to Child Bereavement UK

The Loss Foundation

  • Free support to loss through cancer or COVID-19.    

  • Online therapy groups, support groups and workshops.   

  • Phone: 0300 200 4112

Go to The Loss Foundation

Winston's Wish

  • Free support for grieving children and young people aged 8-25 years old who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close relative.   

  • Information, advice and online support. Support is also available for carers and parents supporting grieving children.

Go to Winston's Wish

Way Up

  • Way Up is an active, online self-help group aimed at providing mutual support to those who have been widowed primarily, but not exclusively,  in their 50’s and 60’s.

  • Based in the UK, their free-to-join members-only forum is an important aspect of their group and is a way to initiate friendships, to exchange views and to give and to receive care and support.

Go to Way Up

Marie Curie

  • Free Support for any bereavement    

  • Information, a support line and 6 sessions with a volunteer listener.    

  • Phone: 0800 090 2309 

Go to Marie Curie

Muslim Bereavement Support Service

  • The Muslim Bereavement Support Service is a registered charity, founded in 2012.

  • They are a non-profit organisation serving the Muslim community by supporting bereaved women who have lost a loved one.

Go to Muslim Bereavement Support

Care for the Family

  • Care for the Family has sought to promote strong family life and help those who face family difficulties.

  • Their work has been focused on the UK, but increasingly through digital technology, they are reaching a wider audience.

  • The focus is primarily on the following areas of family life: marriage, parenting, and bereavement.

Go to Care for the Family
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Discover local
group support

Social groups can help you connect with others who may be experiencing similar experiences of grief too.

 

Group support can help you feel less alone and can greatly improve your mental health.

​

Discover groups in Ipswich, Stowmarket, Woodbridge, Felixstowe & surrounding areas.

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