Volunteers offer an invaluable and practical service providing vital support to the Winston’s Wish staff that lead the weekend. They enable us to ensure we are able to provide our service to the many hundreds of bereaved children and their families who contact us for help. Camp Winston, a residential camp offered to young people and their families, is a central element of the Winston’s Wish programme. It encourages children to share their thoughts and feelings with others who have had similar experiences. This aims to reduce feelings of isolation and to build confidence. Without the vital input of fully trained, competent volunteers it would become increasingly difficult to offer this service as demand increases. Support from volunteers enable us to significantly reduce our costs and therefore hold numerous camps per year, helping an increased number of children. The volunteers undergo a rigorous interview process followed by an intense six month training procedure to ensure they can professionally support the Winston’s Wish staff who lead the weekend, as well as the children. The role of Camp Winston volunteers is to accompany the children and their parents through the weekend and encourage them to participate in a variety of activities, such as outdoor challenges, group discussions and reflective time. These activities help the young people to share their feelings and experiences, express their opinions and develop a positive self-image. The volunteers create a caring and reassuring atmosphere where the children can discuss their feelings and truly be themselves. The parents’ programme runs parallel to the children’s weekend. Volunteers help participants to explore their own personal experience of grief, understand concerns they may have about their children and develop strategies to support both themselves and their children after the weekend. Camp Winston volunteers are integral to achieving a highly valued and quality service, which meets the needs of bereaved young people and their families. They empower children to be more open and expressive whilst encouraging them to share their feelings. This entire process helps to reduce feelings of isolation and frustration amongst this extremely vulnerable group. This type of intervention can lead to positive behaviour changes in the young people and reduces disruptive, anti-social behaviour. “Winston’s camp is very helpful because it made it easier to talk about my dad, and it was nice to know that our helpers cared so much”. Quote from a child after Camp Winston. The volunteers are a dedicated and enthusiastic resource who support and guide families at a pivotal point in their bereavement journey.