Generali UK partners with UK childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish

It’s estimated that around 1 in 29 children have experienced the death of a parent or sibling.¹

78% of 11-16 year olds in the UK experience at least one of their close relatives or friends dying.²

Winston’s Wish helps children, teenagers and young adults, up to the age of 25, find their feet after their world has been turned upside down by grief.

From 1 January 2025, a dedicated helpline becomes available to all young adult employees of our Group Life and Group Income Protection policyholders. And, also, to dependent children of employees, or to employees wishing to support a dependant child.

Key benefits include:

• Access to a bereavement support worker to answer any immediate concerns and assess the need for further support or a referral.
• If more support is required, this will be provided through digital and remote services via the helpline, live chat, email, or online 1:1 or group support.

Louisa Hancox, Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Winston’s Wish, comments: “The death of someone important to a child can affect their physical, and mental wellbeing, sometimes with significant lifelong consequences. Often, the impact extends beyond the loss itself to include all the additional changes it brings, such as adjustments to family routines, new childcare arrangements, or even moving house or school.

“Bereaved children and young people need to know that they are not alone with their grief and that support is available. We are delighted to partner with Generali UK Employee Benefits, to help bring our support to more bereaved children and young adults who are struggling with their grief.”

Jo Enright, Senior Business Development Manager, Generali UK Employee Benefits, adds: “We’re really thrilled to be announcing this partnership. Winston’s Wish is an amazing charity and we’re honoured to partner with them to help extend this essential service to more grieving families.

“The statistics speak for themselves when it comes to the need for such support. The 1 in 29 figure quoted here equates to roughly one child per class in the UK. So, this will undoubtedly touch many workplaces.
“Bereavement counselling and support can help support children to understand and come to terms with their loss; to develop a language that shapes their grief experience.” ³

_{Sources
1 Parliament.UK, Written evidence from the Childhood Bereavement Network
https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/76937/pdf/
2 Winston’s Wish
https://winstonswish.org/adults-bereaved-as-children/#:~:text=None%20should%20doubt%20the%20challenge,close%20relatives%20or%20friends%20dying.
3 BACP, How counselling can help a child cope with grief.
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/bereavement/how-counselling-can-help-a-child-cope-with-grief/}