Stars
Pre-bereavement and Post-bereavement support service
For children and young people age 4-19, who live or attend school in Cambridgeshire.
Our service
We know how difficult it can be when a child experiences the death of someone close to them – or when a family is preparing for a loss. The Stars Bereavement Service is here to provide compassionate, specialist support to help children and young people make sense of their feelings and find a way forward.
Our expert counsellors support young people aged 4-19 in Cambridgeshire who may be experiencing difficulties following, or in anticipation of, the loss of a close family member.
We offer:
- Free pre-bereavement support for children and families who are anticipating the loss of someone close.
- Access to specialist counsellors who understand the unique impact of grief on children and young people.
How we support bereaved children
Counsellors listen to the emotional needs of children and support them to express painful feelings through creative activities, talking, and play.
These one-to-one sessions offer children a confidential space to help them to manage their difficult feelings and make sense of what has happened.
We also provide telephone advice to families and schools supporting children and young people experiencing or facing close bereavement.
Referring to Stars
The Stars Bereavement Service has a proven impact, helping children and young people to understand their grief, build resilience and find ways to cope after bereavement.
To refer a child to work with us, please use the appropriate form:
DOWNLOAD: Ormiston Families Stars Bereavement Referral Form
DOWNLOAD: Ormiston Families Stars Pre-Bereavement Referral Form
We also recommend the resources available at winstonswish.org and childbereavementuk.org
Hear Sadie’s story
Sadie Northfield lost her husband Matt in late 2024. Her son Gilby worked with Stars to overcome his grief.
Watch the video to learn more about Sadie and Gilbys’ journey with Stars.
Watch the video
Meet the Stars team
Ann-Marie
My name is Ann-Marie and I’m the manager of Stars. I first joined Stars in 2013 as a counsellor and became manager of the service in 2022. I currently support a dedicated team of specialist bereavement counsellors to deliver pre and post bereavement counselling to hundreds of children in Cambridgeshire.
I have been a BACP-registered Child and Adolescent Counsellor for 13 years and, as well as being a specialist bereavement counsellor for Stars, I was also a school counsellor for 5 years. My therapeutic approach involves the use of creative arts, as this enables children to express and process their grief. To continue my professional development, I completed a Clinical Supervision Diploma in 2025, and now also provide clinical supervision to Stars volunteer counsellors.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog and city breaks.
Paula
My name is Paula and I have worked with Stars for over 10 years.
I started as a volunteer for Stars when I was training to be a counsellor in 2014 and when I qualified Stars provided me with many opportunities to further my experience and deepen my understanding of the impact of grief on children and young people. I have specialised as a bereavement counsellor since 2016 and as well as my direct work with children, young people and their families I have enjoyed delivering creative workshops and training for Stars.
I am also a qualified clay therapist and creative art therapist, and this enables me to offer a wide variety of creative activities to support each individual child’s experience of bereavement.
When I am not working, I love to be outdoors in nature. I love to walk and swim, and I try and go to live gigs such as musicals, theatre, bands etc as often as I can. I am a huge animal lover, especially dogs. I don’t have my own dog now but fortunately for me family and friends are always willing to share their four-legged friends.
Charlotte
My name is Charlotte; I have experience working as a general counsellor in a secondary school and have been providing bereavement support to children and adults for many years. I practice child-centred counselling using creativity and play.
When I am not working, I love being outside walking my dog, playing tennis, and practising yoga.
Katie
Hello, my name is Katie and I have been qualified as a BACP-Registered Child and Adolescent Counsellor for over 10 years.
As well as my work as a bereavement counsellor with Stars, I have many years of experience working in local schools and children’s charities in Cambridge, supporting children with special educational needs and offering creative arts-based counselling to help children with a wide range of issues.
In my spare time, I enjoy musical theatre, singing, playing the piano and tap dancing!
Jo
My name is Jo, having worked for various charities in the past, including Childline.
I am Clinical Administrator for Stars and am delighted to support the team in their hugely valuable work with bereaved children.
When not working, I love to spend time in my garden or playing for my local orchestra.
Become a supporter
Our supporters’ generous donations allow Stars’ work to continue.
If you would like to ensure more children affected by bereavement have brighter futures, click the link below.
Make a dedication
Show your appreciation for the fantastic work of the Stars Bereavement service by sharing a message on our special dedication page.
Poppy’s Story
“After the passing of her Nanny and Grandad, Poppy dropped out of college and struggled with depression and anxiety. With her unexpressed grief and emotions making her fear she’d get ‘lost in depression’, Poppy needed someone to turn to. Our Stars children’s bereavement support service stepped in to help her build a brighter future.”
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