Maggie's partners with Winston's Wish to promote support for bereaved children

The collaboration comes at a time when it is estimated that more than 100 children in the UK are bereaved of a parent every day*, and countless more young people are coping with the death of a sibling, grandparent, friend, or another significant individual in their lives.

As part of the partnership, the charities will ensure that people needing specialised support know what is available to them by signposting to each other's services.

Everyone's home of cancer care

Since 1996, Maggie's has been providing expert support for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, and their family and friends.

This support for the entire family includes:

• offering adults advice for talking to children about cancer
• providing support for young people when a parent, sibling or another friend or relative has a cancer diagnosis
  

The professional one-to-one and group support is provided in purpose-built Maggie's centres across the UK. Each centre is unique, yet equally warm and welcoming, designed to complement and enhance the care being provided.

Giving hope to grieving children

Winston’s Wish supports grieving young people up to the age of 25. They offering a range of services designed to support children 12 and younger to explore grief through arts and play, such as creative therapy.

The charity also provides special support and content designed for 13–25 year olds on the charity’s Talk Grief website, which includes real life stories and articles regarding what it’s like to grow up with grief.

Winston's Wish's podcast, Grief in Common, features interviews from the charity’s Youth Ambassador Team of young people with lived experiences of grief.

Cancer bereavement support for children more needed than ever

Chief Executive of Maggie's, Dame Laura Lee says:

“In 2023 we supported people living with cancer more than 300,000 times. We know that number will only rise as more people find themselves living with cancer.

“Our experts are here for people at possibly the hardest time of their lives, offering free practical and psychological care and support when they need it most.

“We are here for people with cancer and those who love them for every stage, including pre-bereavement or when bereaved, tailoring our support to suit every person’s individual circumstances.”

Letizia Perna, Director of Services and Service Transformation at Winston’s Wish says:

“As we publicly announce the partnership between Winston’s Wish and Maggie’s, we will be combining expertise in childhood bereavement and cancer support.

“This strategic partnership between our two charities demonstrates a profound commitment to supporting children, young people, and families impacted by cancer, particularly those navigating the challenges of bereavement.

“Together, we will offer a compassionate network that embraces bereaved children, young people, and families, ensuring they feel seen, understood, and supported through their grief journey.”

Dame Laura Lee continues: “We are delighted to be partnering with Winstons’ Wish. By working together, we will ensure that hundreds of children and young people experiencing bereavement through cancer get exactly the right support they need.

“We see and hear in our centres everyday how the impact of a cancer diagnosis ripples out through families. We also know though how impactful the right support can be in giving people hope for the future.”

Improving awareness and accessibility

Maggie's looks forward to working with Winston’s Wish to improve the accessibility of bereavement support for young people when cancer is close to home.

For more information on talking to children and bereavement support, or find your nearest Maggie's to speak to a cancer support specialist

^{*Figures from Winston's Wish}

Last review: Nov 2024 | Next review: Nov 2027