More than 40 business leaders, community members, health and education professionals braved the wet weather last week for the launch of a bereavement support service.

The launch of Stand-by-Me Bereavement Support for Children and Families in North Hertfordshire was held at The Cloisters in Letchworth GC last Thursday.

The focus of the event was to unveil a new information website for bereaved children, their families and the professionals who support them. The website – www.stand-by-me.org.uk – has been created with the help of young people who have been bereaved themselves and gives practical information about how to cope with losing someone close, as well as how to deal with the feelings and emotions those affected encounter.

The support group also has a free telephone helpline for parents in North Hertfordshire.

The helpline, initially available one evening per week, can offer practical advice and support at the earliest stages of grief, when life is likely to be at its most chaotic and when supporting children and young people can be most difficult.

Guest speakers at the launch included the chief executive of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, David Law, and project leader Trisha Taylor, while a question and answer session was held with two young people who have been bereaved and have helped put the project together.

Stand-by-Me Bereavement Support, which is supported by a grant from The National Lottery, is now looking for community volunteers to help support bereaved children and families across the district. For more information, contact the project administrator, Caroline Markovitch by email at carolinemarkovitch@hchs.nhs.uk

The free helpline is available on Tuesday evenings between 6pm and 8.30pm by calling 0800 0116 115.