If you’ve lost someone while you’re away from home
Where to find support, what to tell your host, and how we can help with the accommodation side.
A note from London Homestays. Last updated: 11 March 2026.
Losing someone is hard. Being away from home when it happens can make it feel even harder, especially if you’re trying to manage classes, a host family, and practical decisions at the same time.
This page is here so you know what support is available in the UK, and what we can do to help with the accommodation side.
At a glance
- Immediate danger or you feel you might harm yourself: call 999 or go to A&E.
- Urgent help but not an emergency: call NHS 111.
- Someone to talk to (24/7): Samaritans 116 123 (free).
- Bereavement support: Cruse Bereavement Support 0808 808 1677.
- London Homestays: email info@londonhomestays.com or call 020 8395 0333 (phones 11am–3pm, Mon–Fri).
If you are currently in a London Homestays placement, your booking confirmation includes out-of-hours welfare contact details for urgent situations outside office hours. We do not publish emergency mobile numbers on the website.
What you might be feeling
Grief doesn’t come in a neat order. You might feel numb. You might feel “fine” for a while and then suddenly not fine at all. You might feel guilty for being here instead of at home. You might feel angry. You might feel nothing and then feel everything.
There’s no correct way to grieve. And doing it far from home can make it feel lonely and unreal.
Tell someone in the UK today
Even if you don’t want a long conversation, it helps if one person here knows what’s happened.
- your host
- your school’s welfare or student support contact
- your agent or guardian (if you have one)
- a friend you trust
If language is a barrier, a translation app can help you get the message across clearly (for example Google Translate or DeepL).
If you don’t feel able to tell your host, you can contact us and we can do that gently for you.
What we can help with (practical support)
We’re an accommodation agency, not a counselling service, but we can help with the practical side, for example:
- speaking to your host (if you’d rather not explain it yourself)
- helping you get more privacy or quiet in the home for a few days
- coordinating any accommodation changes if you need to travel home
- liaising with your school or agent where relevant, so you don’t have to repeat yourself
Staying in the UK or going home
There’s no right decision.
Some students find that keeping a routine helps. Others need to be with family, and going home is the only realistic option.
If you think you need to travel home, tell us as soon as you can. We’ll do what we can to make the accommodation side straightforward.
If you want to stay but need a quieter arrangement or more support from the host, tell us and we’ll talk it through.
Support you can reach in the UK
Samaritans (24/7)
Call 116 123 for free, any time. They offer other contact options too, but phone is the most reliable. Their email service is being phased out in the UK during 2026.
Website: samaritans.org
Cruse Bereavement Support
Helpline: 0808 808 1677.
Website: cruse.org.uk
NHS guidance
The NHS page on grief and bereavement explains when to speak to a GP, when to call 111, and when to seek emergency help.
Website: nhs.uk — grief and bereavement
Your school
Most accredited schools have a welfare or student support contact. They can help with absences, course decisions, and support while you’re here.
Culture, faith, and what you need right now
People handle death and mourning very differently depending on culture, family expectations, and faith.
If you have specific needs (privacy, time for prayer, particular food, or support contacting family), tell us. We can’t promise everything, but we will do our best to help or signpost you.
Contact us
- Email: info@londonhomestays.com
- Phone: 020 8395 0333 (phones 11am–3pm, Monday–Friday)
If you are 18 or over, we’ll ask for your permission before discussing your situation with anyone else (including family), unless there is an immediate welfare concern.
In their words...
“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
Alex Fernandes, Accommodation & Visa Compliance Manager, Malvern House London
“Having worked with them since 2013, I can state that London Homestays have always taken care to match our students with suitable host families. They have a very friendly yet professional approach to their work. Our students have enjoyed staying at their homestays. Overall, students say that their host families are attentive and welcoming.”
Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English
“We at Burlington School have worked with London Homestays since 2014, and I professionally know the team since 2009 when I worked for another company in the education and accommodation industry. Having had the opportunity to work with London Homestays since the company started operations in London, all of the enquiries have been dealt with in a dedicated and timely manner, the team members are customer-oriented and always provide an exceptional accommodation experience to our students. I have no hesitation to recommend London Homestays as excellent accommodation providers and business partners.”
Eliane Tomasi, Accommodation & Welfare Officer, Burlington School
“Cooperation with London Homestays is always great! We highly appreciate proactive approach and effort to ensure the best possible services for our groups. We always had a great clean accommodation, friendly family and smart local organisers. Students of our groups were satisfied and they enjoyed staying in London very much. We would like to recommend this agency. The whole team is very kind.”
Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.
“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
Stéphanie Frassanito, Program Manager, Work Overseas
“Our school from the Czech Republic has had great experiences with London Homestays. The host families were generally welcoming, kind, and accommodating. The service provided by the coordinator Kate O’Connor and other admin staff is second to none.”
Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International School
It was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2
“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London
“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, London
My homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3-
“London Homestays has been an excellent accommodation partner for our students. The team is always helpful, responsive and highly professional. They consistently match students with the right hosts based on individual requirements, ensuring a positive and comfortable homestay experience.”
Ellie Fordham, Student Services Manager, Stafford House 
My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2
Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay booking
My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+
“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking
“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2
“Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting (SCIC) has worked with Home from Home many times and they have provided a very professional service.”
Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting
“I highly recommend London Homestays! We have been working with them for a while now, and their professionalism and the quality of their homestays have always been exceptional. One of the homestays we collaborated with was so impressive that we even shared it on our YouTube channel to give our students a glimpse of the warm and welcoming environment they can expect. Thank you, London Homestays, for providing such amazing services. We look forward to continuing our partnership!”
Tuba Akca, Owner at Tubik Academy
The London Homestays portal is amazing. You can manage availability, update photos, and see when you’ve been paid — something I’m always chasing the other agencies. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
Sharon, host in Finchley
