Winston’s Wish – Walk and Talk Charity event
UK’s first childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish
This free event is designed to unite grieving young people and their families in the Bristol area to provide peer support for those local bereaved children and the adults who care for them. Childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish is delighted to be hosting another one of its Walk and Talk events in Bristol on Wednesday 9th of August at Clifton Downs.
Established in 1992, Winston’s Wish has been giving hope to grieving children for more than 30 years. The UK-based charity offers direct support and advice to grieving young people, up to the age of 25, and their families.
Each year, more than 60,000 young people are directly supported by Winston’s Wish and more than 17,000 professionals, such as teachers and NHS professionals, are given tailored training to help bereaved young people. The charity also offers advice and assistance to parents and carers of grieving young children.
Estimates suggest that, devastatingly, each day, more than 100 children in the UK are bereaved of a parent and that figure doesn’t equate how many young people are coping with the death of a sibling, grandparent, friend or another significant individual in their lives.
As well as providing support via online resources from podcasts, case studies and information to on-demand services, bereavement support and counselling, Winston’s Wish also hosts events such as the local Bristol Walk and Talk to provide peer support and reassurance, helping to ensure that no young person is left to grieve alone.
Rachel Gooding, a Bristol-based Children and Young Person Bereavement Counsellor for Winston’s Wish commented, “It can be incredibly powerful to see bereaved young people and their families join together. Bereavement can be a very isolating experience, and everyone has their own story to tell but when individuals and families come together, everyone had a unifying thread and that’s important to recognise at events like our upcoming Walk and Talk at Clifton Downs.”
One family who attended a previous Walk and Talk event commented, “
This informal and free event is open to those who have had previous contact with Winston’s Wish or who are new to the charity’s services and support. Individuals older than 16 or families can register their interest to attend via the dedicated webpage on the Winston’s wish website. Please note that any attendee younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
A dedicated team from Winston’s Wish will be taking part in the walk on the Clifton Downs and will be on hand to connect you with others and to let you know about the charity’s other free bereavement support services. Immediately after the walk there will be refreshments taken. Attendees are welcomed to take advantage of the peer support and share their personal experiences of bereavement.
If you are interested in attending this Walk and Talk event, then remember to register your interest via the Winston’s Wish website. The event will begin at 1pm on Wednesday the 9th of August. Attendees are encouraged to meet slightly beforehand at the Down’s Café, Stoke Road, Durdham Downs, Bristol and don’t forget to look out for a Winston’s Wish banner and staff. There is free parking around the Downs and there are good bus links. For further information please review the Winston’s Wish Bristol Walk and Talk website. Remember – each day more than 100 young people in the UK are bereaved of a parent and countless others are coping with the death of another significant individual. With the right support at the right time, delivered in the right way, Winston’s Wish is convinced that these children can go on to lead full and flourishing lives.
