2wish offer support for any child or young person following the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 years and under.
We understand that sometimes young people feel isolated in their grief and may struggle with difficult emotions or feel alone.
Our Children and Young People Team offers emotional and practical support online to children, young people, parents, carers, and professionals in Wales and England.
We can also help families connect with local services that offer additional support, recognising that the right help may look different depending on where they live.
"We exist to walk alongside children and young people after sudden and unexpected bereavement - providing safe spaces, emotional support and practical help so they can grieve, grow and feel less alone."
Our Children and Young People team deliver a wide range of training sessions designed to support professionals working with bereaved children and young people. Sessions are suitable for anyone in a role where they may encounter bereavement, including teachers, social workers, health and care staff and youth workers. Contact [email protected] to discuss a training session tailored to you.
We also host regular, online sessions, covering a range of topics on supporting young people affected by grief.
We hold support events online and in person, giving children and young people the opportunity to enjoy new experiences in a safe environment and meet others who have experienced similar loss. If you would like more details about these events, please get in touch.
We have compiled a selection of trusted go-to books, activities and guides which have supported many children and young people in their bereavement journey.
Key themes: Friendship, emotions, adventure, nature, environment. A story about a girl who locks her heart away in a bottle after experiencing loss and follows the journey she takes to rediscover it.
An honest, gentle guide for children explaining death, loss and grief with friendly dinosaur characters to help young readers understand and cope.
Key themes: grief, loss, healing, love, memory making. A beautiful story about a Tortoise who loses someone he loves but realises remembering the memories brings him comfort.
A story with the meaning that no matter where we are on this earth or have been, we are connected forever by intangible yet unbreakable invisible string which connects us.
Key themes: grief, friendship, support, healing. A gentle story about three woodland friends grieving the death of Fox and slowly healing as they share memories and find comfort in each other.
This tender Christmas story reminds the reader that amidst all the twinkling lights of the season, one shines brighter than the rest – a Loving Light that reminds us our special someone is still near, guiding, glowing, and forever part of our heart. The ultimate book to bring comfort and hope to families moving through loss at Christmas.
Key Themes: Non Fiction toolkit for staying calm, reducing anxiety and practising mindfulness activities.
Key Themes: Changes that follow with bereavement, understanding death and heaven.
Key themes: How grief feels and how to remember those we have lost. A tender, illustrated picture book about grief and loss from a child’s perspective, focusing on how the memory of a loved one can live on.
Key themes: This picture book explores the concept of what we create in the world, focusing on the idea that building can be about creating connections and making meaningful things that have an impact on others. The book encourages children to think about the legacy they create and how they contribute to the world.
Key themes: When you lose a friend and miss them. A gentle story of a badger’s passing and how his animal friends cope with their grief, cherishing the gifts of memories he left behind.
Key themes: Helps children understand the ups and downs of emotions, offering an encouraging story about how to handle life’s challenges with a positive attitude.
A fictional novel about a girl coping with the sudden death of her best friend. The story balances humour and sadness while showing how grief can be confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even angry. Good for younger teens who relate to character-driven stories and strong emotional themes.
Written by a bereavement expert, this is an accessible, illustrated guide to understanding grief and building coping strategies. It’s friendly, reassuring, and practical – ideal for young people who want a mix of explanation, activities, and emotional support in a non-patronising tones.
Key themes: loss, friendship, emotional honesty, connection, healing. A heartfelt story about a young girl grieving the loss of her best friend after a road traffic collision.
A compassionate guide written specifically for teenagers navigating the emotional, social, and practical challenges of grief. It speaks directly to the experiences teens often face, changes in friendships, school pressure, and waves of unexpected emotion, while offering coping strategies that feel realistic and validating.
This guided journal helps children express and understand their feelings after a loss. It includes prompts, gentle questions, and activities that encourage reflection in a safe and structured way. It’s ideal for younger pupils who struggle to put emotions into words and benefit from hands-on expression.
This book explains grief in simple, honest language. It uses clear, direct statements to help children understand what grief is, why it feels the way it does, and how it can change over time. Best for younger children or those who need a straightforward explanation.
A powerful story about a boy coping with his mother’s terminal illness. Honest, emotional, and widely used in schools to explore grief, anger, guilt, and fear. Themes: Anticipatory grief, emotions, truth, compassion.
Follows a child navigating sudden loss and rebuilding life after family death. Themes: Sudden bereavement, resilience, belonging.
A classic that sensitively explores friendship and sudden loss. Themes: Grief, shock, memory, growing up.
Workbook-style, practical, and reflective — useful in 1:1 support.
