Grief Encounter

Who we are

Founded by Dr Shelley Gilbert MBE, our mission is to give every child and young person access to the best possible support following the death of someone close.

We work closely with individuals, families, schools and professionals to offer a way through the anxiety, fear and isolation so often caused by grief. Our services include:

• One-to-one counselling
• Group workshops
• Music, art and drama therapy
• Residentials and Family Fun Days
• A National, free and confidential helpline called grieftalk offering web chat service too
• Bespoke support for schools, universities and colleges
• A dedicated Trauma Team for support following a sudden or traumatic bereavement.
• Accredited training courses and webinars for professionals
• Award-winning resources including our unique Grief Relief Kit, Grief Encounter Workbook and Journal

We are an open-access charity, funded by the generosity of our supporters, and here to help alleviate the pain and confusion caused by the death of a parent or sibling. Bereavement is devastating at any age, but for a child it is life-changing. Get in touch with us if you need support.

Our Vision:  A world where no child grieves alone.

Our Mission: To help bereaved children, young people and their families find hope and healing

Our Values are very important to us and, as a member of the Grief Encounter team, you would be expected to hold these in your day-to-day work:

• Belonging - Through times of grief we deeply understand the profound influence of community. We honour heritage, diversity and important bonds that nurture our sense of self and our collective contributions to provide hope, healing and fulfilling lives.
• Courage - We’re not afraid to face grief head on and tackle difficult conversations openly and honestly with others. This gives everyone the courage to freely express their emotions and actively participate in making a difference
• Dedication - We dedicate ourselves to the lives of bereaved children and families. With unwavering resolve , we champion the needs of every child to shape hopeful futures with care, warmth and positivity, nurturing the past, present and future lives.