Charlie Rose, 11, was supported by Child Bereavement UK in London after her father died from lung cancer. Charlie talks about how one-to-one support and coming to the Group for Young People has helped her talk about her dad.

Just saying a few words in front of others about my Dad was a big step for me but I’m able to do that now because of my support from Child Bereavement UK.

I initially came to Child Bereavement UK for one-to-one sessions with a bereavement support practitioner. The sessions were fun; one of my favourite things was making a memory jar and remembering fun times with my Dad. I loved the group sessions too and had fun at bowling – all the other children were friendly and made me feel welcome. Attending the Group for Young People has helped me to know that I’m not the only child going through grief, and that there are other children who can relate to me.  

Talking to others whose parent has died has made me realise that sometimes it can be difficult for children to be able to talk about what they’ve gone through and their feelings relating to the person they’ve lost. Just saying a few words in front of others about my Dad was a big step for me but I’m able to do that now because of my support from Child Bereavement UK. It makes me happy to be with people I have something in common with and feel able to discuss things I find hard to talk about sometimes, even with my Mum.   

I still find it hard to talk about Dad, but I know with Child Bereavement UK’s help things will get easier for me in the future.

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