We were the UK’s first childhood bereavement charity – supporting bereaved children since 1992.

As the first charity to establish child bereavement support services in the UK, we continue to lead the way in providing specialist child bereavement support services across the UK, including in-depth therapeutic help in individual, group and residential settings.
Winston’s Wish was established by Julie Stokes OBE, a clinical psychologist, in 1992 to meet the needs of bereaved children and their families. The idea took root when Julie visited the US and Canada on a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. Having been inspired by the services she saw there, Stokes returned to the UK and set up Winston’s Wish.

A Child’s Grief

Since then we have understood the impact of bereavement at a young age and has developed a range of practical support and guidance on bereavement to children, their families and professionals via a national helpline and publications for all ages. We offer specialist support programmes for children affected by deaths related to murder, manslaughter, suicide or the military community.

Winston's Wish believe in a society where every bereaved child has access to support as and when they need it.