Support for Survivors and Bereaved

Disaster Action offers support and guidance to survivors and the bereaved through our leaflet series When Disaster Strikes, through telephone and email contact as well as personal meetings. Many of those who have contacted Disaster Action say how helpful it has been to talk to those who have been in a similar situation. Some have gone on to become members of the charity. Disaster Action does not offer a counselling service, although we are familiar with counselling and other forms of therapy that may be appropriate for those affected by a disaster.

People affected by a disaster often feel that the lasting effects of their trauma can only be fully understood by those who share experience of the same event. Disaster Action facilitated the coming together of British residents affected by the 11 September attacks in the United States and the Bali bombing of 2002. Both groups then formed their own support groups - a primary source of self-help for those affected by a disaster.

As a member of the Tsunami Support Network set up by the British Red Cross to offer assistance to those affected by the 2004 Tsunami, Disaster Action assisted those affected to come together as a group. When the Network closed the bereaved and survivors formed the UK Tsunami Support Group, and also joined Disaster Action.

Our leaflet series, When Disaster Strikes, are based on the collective experience of our members. These are specifically for relatives and friends of those killed or injured in a disaster, and survivors, to guide them through the possible course of events following a major emergency, whatever its unique features.

Links to Support Services and Family/Survivor Support Groups

Bethnal Green Tube Disaster
:: http://www.stairwaytoheavenmemorial.org

British Red Cross
::  http://www.redcross.org.uk

Child Bereavement Trust
:: http://www.childbereavement.org.uk

Compassionate Friends
:: http://www.tcf.org.uk

Cruse - Bereavement Care
Telephone 020939 9530. To talk to a counsellor telephone 08457 585565 (Monday-Friday 3pm-9pm)
::  http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Lockerbie Disaster UK Families Flight 103
:: http://www.lockerbie-disaster.org.uk

The Matthew Fulham Foundation
Set up by his family in memory of Matthew Fulham, who was killed in the July 2005 Sharm El Sheikh bombing.
:: http://www.matthewfulham.org//

Marchioness Action Group
:: http://www.geocities.com/jndenio/

Ufton Nervet Train Crash Network
::  http://www.unix.demon.co.uk/untc/content/news/18.htm

Victim Support
Telephone 020 7735 9166.
:: http://www.victimsupport.com

UK Bali Bombing Victims Group
:: http://www.ukbbvg.co.uk/

UK Tsunami Support Group
The Tsunami Support Network aims to help provide support for families and individuals in the UK affected by the South East Asian Earthquake and the resulting Tsunami of 26 December 2004.
: : http://www.tsunamisupport.co.uk