Compassionate Friends
Free training for teachers and education staff to help students who have a loved one who is seriously ill, or who has died.
Every bereaved child’s experience is unique. This programme invites education professionals to pause, to listen, and to ask rather than assume how a child or young person wishes to navigate their grief. At its heart is one simple but powerful question: “What do you need, and how can we support you?”
What is Compassionate Friends?
Our new Compassionate Friends programme encourages open, thoughtful conversations in schools and colleges about death, dying and bereavement. It aims to equip children and young people with a better understanding of loss and the emotions that can accompany it, while also giving staff the confidence and tools to respond with compassion.
Figures show that one in 29 children is affected by the terminal illness or death of a close family member – roughly one child in every classroom. We believe it is vital that these children feel supported not only by their class teachers, but also by wider school staff and their peers.
Through this training, we can offer guidance on taking a whole-school approach, including:
- opening up age-appropriate conversations about death and bereavement
- establishing clear and compassionate procedures for support
- delivering awareness sessions to staff
- helping children and young people develop understanding and empathy they can carry into adulthood
Ideally, we recommend that two members of staff attend together, so you can work collaboratively to embed learning and support back in school. However, we fully appreciate that this may not always be possible. If you are a smaller setting and can only send one member of staff, or if you would like a whole-team session, please do get in touch to discuss options.
After taking part in the training, you will be given information and literature, to begin implementing the Compassionate Friends programme in your setting. Full support and guidance will be available every step of the way. When you have completed your journey with sufficient evidence, you will become a Compassionate Friend and receive a special acknowledgment to display proudly at your organisation.
Who will run the training?
You’ll meet our expert team, who’ll be on hand throughout the training to provide guidance, best practice and answer questions, as well as facilitate discussions amongst the group.
If you have any questions or would like to chat through anything before you book on, please contact Sarah Sewell, Community Engagement Officer, on: community.engagement@blythehouse.co.uk
Dates for Compassionate Friends training in 2026
Training sessions will take place from 1.30 to 4.30pm at Blythe House Hospice, Eccles Fold, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 9TJ. You only need to attend one session; multiple dates are offered for flexibility:
- Friday 3rd July 2026
- Friday 23rd October 2026
Feedback from our July 2026 session
- “Useful, relevant practical help and support. Will take this to the other staff coming in October with a view to developing it in school in some way”
- “Open and safe feeling to the session. Very engaging’
- “Great afternoon and really helpful, thought of everything. Racheal has been so amazing at helping the staff in our school”
- “Fantastic, very informative. Racheal is so knowledgeable and engaging, gone away feeling like I can support those who need it.”
- “Wonderful, so informative, open, honest conversation”
- “Excellent training, thank you.”
- “Very informative, felt like a safe space to talk openly. I like listening to other experiences of death – really helpful.”
- “Open and safe space – I felt comfortable to feel and share. It was engaging and informative and has provided me wore confidence. Supportive feeling.”
- “Great discussion on a very important, fragile and at times, taboo topic.”
Would you like to attend? Please complete the form below
Please note: Completing this form does not automatically confirm your place on the training. Availability will depend on your requirements and the number of people already booked onto your chosen date. A member of our team will be in touch to confirm your place or to discuss alternative options if needed.
