How your donations provide wraparound care for bereaved families at Alder Hey

When a family loses a child, their world changes forever. In that moment of heartbreak, having someone to listen can make all the difference. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, Alder Hey Children’s Charity funds the Child Death Helpline – a national service that provides comfort, understanding, and practical support to families when they need it most.

The helpline is unique. Every call is answered by a bereaved parent volunteer who has been specially trained and is supported by professional teams at The Alder Centre. This means that families always speak to someone who understands their grief in a very real and personal way. Some call within hours of losing a child, others decades later. Whatever the circumstances, they are never turned away.

Michelle Meredith, who coordinates the helpline, explains:

“Death is still not talked about enough in our society. Losing a child is devastating, but the helpline means parents never have to face that grief alone. We have spoken to families who lost a child less than 12 hours ago and others who are coming to terms with their loss 50 years later.”

The Child Death Helpline is just one part of the wraparound care that Alder Hey provides. With your help, Alder Hey Children’s Charity funds a whole network of support for bereaved families, including counselling, peer support groups, and therapies. Together, these services provide holistic care for the mind, body, and spirit — whenever and wherever it is needed.

The impact of this care stretches far beyond Liverpool. Families from across the UK and even overseas have turned to the helpline for support. Volunteers go above and beyond to ensure the service is always available — even taking calls while abroad to make sure no parent is left without help.

Every donation to Alder Hey Children’s Charity plays a role in making this possible. Supporters aren’t just funding world-class medical treatment — they are also funding vital emotional care that helps families heal.

With your support, we can ensure the Child Death Helpline continues to be there for every parent, every family, and every story of loss. Together, we can make sure that no one has to face the devastating loss of a child alone.