Bristol father shares how charity support helped his children after losing their mum

Local TV

A Bristol dad, Tom, has spoken about the challenges of raising young children following the sudden death of his wife, and how specialist help from Grief Encounter supported them through day-to-day life after bereavement. Charities say many families in similar situations still struggle to access consistent guidance, with no statutory system in place.

Transcript

00:00Losing a partner can be tough enough, but when you're suddenly bringing up children on your own, the impact can be overwhelming.

00:08Across Bristol, many lone parents say the emotional and financial strain can last for years,

00:14and they're calling for more consistent support to help families rebuild their lives following a bereavement.

00:21Our journey started seven years ago. My wife, Laura, died of a liver cancer,

00:28and at that point, my two young girls, Rosie and Clara, were one and three.

00:36So I think at that point, you know, we didn't really know where to turn,

00:42and thankfully, my sister-in-law pointed me in the direction of Grief Encounter,

00:47which, if I'm honest, I've been living in Bristol for a number of years, and I've never heard of it at all.

00:52Grief Encounter offers specialist bereavement counselling, creative therapies and practical guidance for families

01:00trying to navigate life following a devastating loss.

01:05The charity works to make sure no child is left struggling alone,

01:09providing tailored support that helps young people rebuild confidence at their own pace.

01:14I think, to be honest, we didn't know where to turn, and then when we reached out to Grief Encounter,

01:19everything seemed a lot easier.

01:21They're obviously very experienced in bereavement and dealing with young children.

01:26I mean, if I'm honest, I thought that Rosie, my eldest, at just starting school, being four years old,

01:31would be too young for therapy, but actually, they were incredible at welcoming her in,

01:37giving her play therapy, building trust, and we were so very fortunate to have access to the centre.

01:45But it was very much that play therapy, learning about emotions, trying to learn how to regulate emotions.

01:52I mean, I remember sitting in the waiting room hearing a drum thumping,

01:56and then when we got in the car and I said to Rosie, what was that about?

01:59She said, oh, that's my angry drum, and when I'm feeling angry feelings, I'd let them out.

02:03And, you know, she was unrecognisable in the 12 months of where she started,

02:09with her language around death and bereavement, where she finally got to after a year's worth of therapy.

02:15Charities supporting bereaved families, including Grief Encounter,

02:19say many parents still find it difficult to navigate life following a loss,

02:24particularly when they're also trying to guide young children through their own grief.

02:28They point out there is currently no statutory system for tracking or supporting bereaved families,

02:34which can leave some parents feeling isolated as they try to cope.

02:38I think it's huge because you're trying to deal with your own grief as the grown-up,

02:43and the sort of sole grown-up in the family, whilst trying to support your children,

02:49and probably being quite uneducated on the subject.

02:52So it's so isolating, and being able to have access to that just gives you that sounding board

02:57to other parents who are in that situation.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended