How to cope with loneliness over winter
Over winter, with the darker evenings, feelings of loneliness can seem more overwhelming than ever.
If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. You can speak to the Winston’s Wish bereavement team using one of our confidential on-demand services. You can chat with us anonymously if you wish and share whatever you are feeling. Nothing about your grief is off limits. We promise to listen, not judge and can offer advice and guidance if needed. You can speak to us as little or as often as you want.
Click the blue ‘Chat with us’ button at the bottom right of your screen between 8am-8pm, weekdays.
Call us for free on 08088 020 021 between 8am-8pm, weekdays.
If it’s urgent, text WW to 85258 to speak with someone from our trusted partner, Shout. Open 24/7.
If you need to speak to us in a language other than English, we can use interpreters over the phone, and we can use the Relay UK app if you have hearing or speech difficulties.
Who do I speak to when I use the helpline, email, or live chat?
You will put through to one of our bereavement support workers who can help support you with how you’re feeling.
Do you record personal information?
We keep a record of the information you provide to us which means that if you contact us again, we can continue the conversation where we left off. You can tell us as much or as little as you like.
What will happen during the call/chat?
You will be able to speak to bereavement support workers about your grief and how you’re feeling. We listen and offer coping strategies; you can talk to us about anything to do with your grief and we will support you through this really tough time.
How long do I have to wait on the chat?
Once you’re in the queue to chat, we usually respond within 10 minutes. You can then talk to us for as long as you like.
What if I don’t know what to say?
That’s absolutely fine, it’s really normal to not know what to say or where to start, but our team will help you by asking questions to get you started.
Will I speak to the same bereavement expert each time?
No, we have a team of bereavement support workers that answer calls and chats. You are welcome to start from the beginning again if you wish, or just let us know you’ve spoken to us before, and we can find your record so you don’t have to repeat yourself.
Is on-demand support actually bereavement support?
Yes, our bereavement support workers are trained to help and support you with your grief.
What can I talk about when using an on-demand service?
You can talk about anything to do with your grief.
Can I use an on-demand service more than once?
Absolutely, you’re welcome to use the on-demand services as and when you need them.
What's the difference between on-demand support and one-to-one support?
On-demand support is immediate support without waiting lists where you can talk to us at a time convenient for you. One-to-one support is structured bereavement sessions at the same time each week for a set number of sessions with the same bereavement support worker.
Will anyone else know I've used a service?
All of our services are confidential, so we won’t share anything about you to anyone, unless we believe you or someone else is at risk of harm. We do encourage you to share that you’re accessing support from us with someone you trust, but this is entirely up to you.
Can I speak anonymously?
Yes, you can. Both our help/support line and live chat can be accessed anonymously, if you don’t wish to share any information about yourself you can skip the questions at the start.
Knowing that you aren’t the only young person grieving can be life changing. Here you can read the experiences of other young people, advice and tips from experts and speak to our bereavement support workers.
Advice, resources and talks to help you understand grief and how it might impact you.
Grieving young people share their real experiences – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Trained bereavement support workers to listen and support you in your grief.
Grief is different for everyone, so however you are feeling you’ll find something to relate to.
Follow us on social media for all our latest advice from bereavement support workers and young people with experience of grief.
Over winter, with the darker evenings, feelings of loneliness can seem more overwhelming than ever.
Crying is a normal response when your person has died, no matter how long ago. There's no right or wrong way to grieve, and it's okay to let it out.
A guide for grieving young people from the Winston's Wish Bereavement Support Team.
Three of our Youth Ambassadors, Anna, Libby and Angharad, reflect on their first Christmas without their person.
Winter and the Christmas holidays can be a difficult time of year. Here are five ways to remember your person this season.
Winston's Wish Bereavement Support Workers share their 8 top tips for bereaved teens and young adults through the colder months.
Youth Ambassadors share the ways they remember their person digitally, through photo albums, playlists, and more.
Youth Ambassadors, Daisy, Freya, and Katie, share their personal views of their own secondary losses as a result of their bereavement.
Hear from some of the Youth Team about times when their teachers have helped them with their grief.
Some tips for taking care of yourself when you're grieving for a celebrity or public figure.
Our Bereavement Support Team have written some guidance on how to manage grief when you feel like you aren't able to be open.
Lilly shares an introduction to her grief experience and why it's so important to her to be a Winston's Wish Youth Ambassador.
Hear from some of their Youth Team about how they found support at uni.
Angus, Content Creator, says, "This message is about embracing change and not letting current moments pass you by."
Coping strategies to support you after a teacher has died
Tips from our bereavement support team to help you with big life changes like moving out as a young adult.
Useful tips to help you understand and cope with your grief.
Feeling sad that your person isn't there, guilty that you're celebrating your results, or proud of yourself for your results. There's no right or wrong way to grieve.
It can be very difficult knowing what to say and to be around someone who has experienced the death of someone close. Adults find it difficult too, so try not to feel bad about this.
The death of a friend may feel extremely difficult and can feel as significant as that of a family member. Whatever you're feeling is valid, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
Jack, Content Creator, writes about how managing his grief through running has led to him winning the Leeds Half Marathon 2024!
Iman, Youth Ambassador, explains about Eid and shares what it's like for her and her family to grieve during Eid.
Miranda shares about how she uses music in different ways to help express her grief and emotions.
Ashleigh writes about how both writing and music have helped her in her grief.
The Winston's Wish bereavement support team share top tips for managing grief this Father's Day.
Grace's dad died from cancer when she was eight years old, she shares how she remembers her dad on Father’s Day.
Feelings of worry are very normal when you're grieving. Read on to discover some ways to manage these feelings.
Useful tips for exam season if you're grieving
Youth Ambassador, Iman, shares about her Eid celebrations as a grieving young person
Content Creator, Angus shares his thoughts
Useful tips for exam season
Interview with Mark O’Sullivan, writer of Tell Me Everything
Tips to help improve your sleep when you're grieving
How poetry can be a useful way to express your feelings
Young people share what it's like to grieve while studying at uni.
Our bereavement experts are available to speak to for immediate support on weekdays from 8am to 8pm.
Get top tips from bereavement experts, and hear from Youth Ambassadors, Henri and Teigan, about their experiences of Mother's Day.
Phoebe's mum died when she was nine. She shares how she feels on Mother’s Day and how she remembers her mum.