Bereavement Coaching Programme

About our Coaching Programme 

Our Bereavement Coaching Programme has been specifically created for parents who have experienced the loss of a child to childhood cancer. It offers compassionate support to enhance emotional, physical, mental and social wellbeing, recognising that every parent’s grief is unique.  

Register your interest to be notified when dates for our next programme are confirmed. 

Joining the programme: what to expect 

This is a free, six‑week virtual programme offering confidential, two‑hour group sessions each week delivered by members of our Family Support Team who are also trained life coaches.

Each session combines coaching themes to support different aspects of wellbeing and offers a safe and reflective space for parents to explore their experiences alongside others who understand the impact of bereavement. We generally recommend the programme for parents who are beyond the first 6 months of bereavement.

To help you understand how the programme runs, here’s what to expect before, during and after taking part: 

Before the programme 

You can express interest in our Bereavement Coaching Programme at any time by contacting our Family Support Team or by registering your interest here. We will notify you directly when new programme dates are confirmed. Information is also shared through the Solving Kids’ Cancer UK newsletter, on our social media channels and here on this webpage. 

When registration opens, a link to the registration form will be provided here. Once registered, participants will receive a welcome pack from the Family Support Team.

During the programme 

Below is a short overview of the themes explored in our most recent programme. Future programmes may vary slightly based on feedback: 

• Connection - creating a safe space to connect with other bereaved parents and share experiences if you choose. 
• Self‑care - understanding your needs and identity after loss and developing a personal self‑care plan. 
• New normal - exploring identity, values and direction as life changes after your child’s death. 
• Relationships - reflecting on how grief affects relationships and exploring simple tools to support communication and connection. 
• Work and purpose - considering work, confidence and meaning after bereavement, and exploring gentler internal dialogue. 
• Honouring your child - a dedicated space to remember and honour your child, and to explore how their life continues to shape your own. 

After the programme 

Once the six-week programme ends, our Family Support Team continues to offer support through peer‑to‑peer networks, events, and follow‑up check‑ins. 

What parents thought about the programme 

Feedback from parents who have joined our programmes has been incredibly positive. Their experiences helped shape future support, ensuring the programme continues to meet the needs of families. 

From the most recent programme: 

• 100% recommend this programme to someone who has experienced childhood cancer bereavement. 
• 100% said they felt supported during the programme. 
• 100% rated the programme good, very good or excellent. 
• 100% liked the welcome pack sent to them before the programme. 
• 86% saw an improvement in how good they've been feeling about themselves compared to before completing the programme. 

Parents shared that the programme offered connection, understanding and meaningful tools: 

“The connection and time to talk and engage with other bereaved parents is incredible, and to be able to share about our own and hear about other heroes is amazing." 2026 programme participant

"Hearing that others are feeling the same is comforting, and if others are feeling different it helps to break down the guilt a little if we feel differently about things some days” 2026 programme participant

Our most recent programme was delivered in collaboration with Alice’s Arc, enabling parents bereaved through neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma to take part.