Information: Former Carers | Sutton Carers Centre

Bereavement & Life After Caring

Updated September 2025

Caring roles vary, but when they end, we can feel lost, uncertain about what to do next, or dealing with emotions such as grief and bereavement.

Contents

How are you doing?
Bereavement contacts
Local contacts

You can find and filter useful contacts here, e.g. 'end of life & bereavement' or 'wellbeing'.

If you have problems accessing or find any of the information requires updating, please contact us.

How are you doing since your caring role has ended?

Caring for a loved one is a deeply personal and often life-defining experience. When that role ends, whether through bereavement or a change in circumstances, it can leave Carers feeling lost, grieving, and unsure of what comes next.

Caring roles can impact work, studies, relationships and how much time you have to do things for you, as well as how you feel and stress levels. However much you love caring for a loved one, the end of a caring role can leave you with a sense of loss, but may also result in feelings of relief and guilt.

The end of a caring role is a significant life transition. Whether you're grieving, adjusting to new routines, or seeking purpose, you are not alone.

Bereavement and grief affects many of us at the end of a caring role. Please ask us if you would like to talk about what support is available. You can also access online resources, such as Matthew McKenzie's 'A caring mind' article on Coping after the loss of a loved one - essential tips for Carers.

You may access services at Sutton Carers Centre for up to six months, but this page offers you some useful contacts to help you move on.

Bereavement Support

There are organisations, such as Cruse Bereavement Care, which run groups for people who are grieving. Your GP can put you in touch with a local bereavement counsellor if you’d like more formal one-to-one counselling. Many hospices also provide bereavement support for the families of people who have used their services. Sutton Carers Centre have a Moving On Group for Carers who are no longer caring.

Child Bereavement UK runs support groups and has an app for people aged 11 to 25.

Cruise offers emotional support and advice around bereavement on their website or call their helpline 0808 808 1677.

Cruse Bereavement Support – Sutton Area provides free bereavement support via phone, Zoom, and in-person sessions.

Tel 07904 056 123 / Email sutton@cruse.org.uk.

Help Again is the youth arm of Cruse, working with young people aged 12 - 25.

Jigsaw4U and Pre and Post Bereavement Support aims to support all children, young people, and families who are affected by cancer, life-limiting illness or bereavement. The model of support is child centred. The service supports children and young people aged 3 to 25. Tel 020 8687 1384

Macmillan have a free Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week 8am - 8pm. You can also visit the bereaved family and friends or the bereaved spouses and partners forum in Macmillan's online community.

Momentum Echoes is a dedicated service offering support to bereaved families when their child dies of cancer, a life limiting condition or in sudden death. Tel 07860 490 545 / Email bianca@moment-um.org

National Association of Widows offer support, friendship and understanding to men and women who have lost their partner through bereavement.

Tel: 024 7663 4848 / 0845 838 2261

SLOW (Surviving the Loss of your World) provides community self-help groups providing support to bereaved parents and siblings in rebuilding their lives after the death of a child. Offering support groups in Islington, North London and Streatham, South London and open to all that have suffered the devastating loss of a child. Tel 07537 423 674 / Email info@slowgroup.co.uk

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide is a self-help organisation that supports people who have been bereaved by the suicide of a relative or close friend. Offer free group meetings and support by email and helpline.

National Helpline: 0300 111 5065 / Email: sobs.support@hotmail.com

Sue Ryder offer online bereavement support.

The Loss Foundation (for people bereaved by cancer) charity operates free support groups within London and Oxford where people can share stories and experiences with others who have experienced a similar kind of loss. Groups are facilitated by healthcare professionals and people can attend groups as and when needed (no commitment is required). The charity also holds other supportive events so please see their website for details on upcoming events (e.g. coffee mornings, social gatherings).

Tel: 07732070972 / Email: erin@thelossfoundation.org

The Surrey Suicide Bereavement Service provides practical support & advice for families bereaved by suicide. The service helps families who are dealing with the loss of their loved one, provide support and advocacy, and if needed can help them access individual or family counselling.

Tel 01737 886 551 / Email info@ssbs.org.uk

St Raphael’s Hospice Team offers support by telephone, face-to-face counselling sessions, practical help and advice as well as a Bereavement Support Group. They offer specialist bereavement care for children, providing guidance and information about how best to explain death and grief.

Tel 020 8099 7777 / Email enquiries@straphaels.org.uk

The Bereavement Journey is run in 6 sessions with small facilitated groups, using film and discussion to help guide people through the most common aspects of grief. Although often run by churches, it is for people of any faith or no faith.

The loss of a pet

Pet Bereavement Support Service provides support for individuals grieving for the loss of a pet, whether through death, parting, or enforced separation.

Tel: 0800 096 6606 /Email: pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk

Animal Bereavement Service offers a sympathetic ear, understanding and support if you are saddened and dejected at losing a beloved pet.

Tel 020 8303 1859

Some local contacts . . .

Together for Sutton is an independent, impartial, free and confidential service and advice and information service in Sutton available to all. They can be accessed online, by phone 0208 254 2616 or via the drop-in centre underneath Sutton Library in the Citizens Advice Offices, St Nicholas Way SM1 1EA.

Sutton Information Hub is an online guide to local support and services, events and activities within the Borough of Sutton. 

Citizens Advice Sutton offer advice on issues such as benefits, housing, consumer. You can get in contact 020 8405 3552, online enquiry form

or visit their Sutton office under the Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SM1 1EA, Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm (except bank holidays) .  

Age UK Sutton offer advice, information and practical support and can be contacted on 020 8078 0002 / 1 Carshalton Road, Sutton SM1 4LE (on the ground floor of our building).

Age UK offers advice on the practical and financial impact on your caring role changing here.

Sutton Volunteer Centre have trained volunteers who can help with filling in benefit claim forms such as Attendance Allowance, Limited Capability to work (Universal Credit) and more. 020 8661 5900 / email hello@vcsutton.org.uk / Market House, 216-220 High Street, Sutton SM1 1NU

NHS Sutton Talking Therapies offer mental health and wellbeing support including depression and anxiety.

020 3513 4044 / 6 Stanley Park Rd, Wallington SM6 0EX

Sutton Mental Health Foundation offers a range of regular and one off activities to support physical and mental wellbeing.