Category: SOULS

A few weeks ago we held our very first SOULS Coffee, Cake & Conversation morning, and it was everything we’d hoped it would be.

Seven lovely people joined us for coffee, cake and a chat. It was a warm, welcoming space where bereaved mums, dads and grandparents could simply spend time with people who understand.

The conversation flowed so naturally, and it was lovely to see people chatting, laughing, listening and supporting one another. For a couple of hours, nobody had to explain why they felt the way they did.

A huge thank you to Emily at Honey Bee Bakery for kindly donating the most amazing cakes and brownies, they were absolutely delicious and very much enjoyed by everyone!

Our next SOULS Coffee, Cake & Conversation morning takes place on Friday 7th August 10am-12 noon, and we’d love to welcome you.

Whether your loss is recent or many years ago, you’ll always receive a warm welcome.

If you’re feeling a little nervous about coming on your own, please bring someone with you. Sometimes having a familiar face beside you makes walking through the door that little bit easier.

You’ll be greeted with a friendly face, a cup of coffee, a slice of cake and people who simply get it.

For more information please contact Lorraine on 07555 541987.

This month our SOULS group enjoyed a lovely afternoon together in Sabden.

Maggie led us on a gentle walk around the village, giving everyone the chance to chat, reflect, or simply enjoy the fresh air and sunshine at their own pace. We then finished at The Pendle Witch where we were treated to tea, coffee and a delicious selection of homemade cakes, all kindly baked by Maggie.

Sometimes it isn’t about having the answers. It’s simply about spending time with people who understand, without explanation, because they are walking the same path.

Thank you so much to Maggie for organising such a thoughtful afternoon, for sharing your beautiful village with us, and for the kindness and care you put into making everyone feel so welcome.

For anyone following our SOULS group from afar and wondering whether it might be for you, we’d also love to let you know that from Friday 3rd July we’ll be launching our new Coffee, Cake & Conversation mornings.

Held on the first Friday of each month, these informal gatherings are simply a chance to come together over a brew, a slice of cake and conversation with others who truly understand.

Whether you feel ready to join us for a walk, or would prefer to start with a coffee and a chat, you will always receive a warm welcome.

After losing Milly, I felt like nobody in the world truly understood the pain I was carrying or the sheer enormity of no longer having my youngest daughter with me.

People wanted to help and were very kind, but I was often told that my pain was understood because they had lost a beloved pet or an elderly relative. Whilst every loss is painful and significant, losing a child is different. It goes against the natural order of life. As parents, we expect to leave our children one day, not for them to leave us.

The only support I found truly comforting was connecting with other bereaved parents. I didn’t have to explain my feelings, justify my grief, or pretend I was okay.

They simply understood – and that understanding was one of the reasons SOULS was created.

Over the years, our SOULS bereavement support group has become a source of friendship, support, laughter, tears and understanding for many bereaved families.

One thing we have learned is that sometimes people don’t need a support group or an organised activity. Sometimes they just need a brew, a piece of cake, and someone who understands what it feels like to carry grief.

So we are very excited to introduce SOULS – Coffee, Cake & Conversation as an addition to our existing SOULS groups.

Starting Friday 3rd July

10am – 12 noon

Milly’s Smiles – Unit 4, Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood.

hello@millyssmiles.org for more information.

The group which is totally free of charge, will then meet on the first Friday of every month.

There is no agenda, no pressure and no expectation. You don’t need to talk if you don’t want to. You don’t need to explain yourself. You can simply come along, enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake, and spend time with people who understand that grief doesn’t have a timetable.

SOULS – Coffee, Cake & Conversation is open to anyone affected by the loss of a child, grandchild, brother or sister, regardless of their age when they died or how long ago your loss occurred.

Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, you will receive a warm welcome.

Because nobody should have to face grief alone.

Our last SOULS group was just lovely…

We were joined by Wick-edly Creative , who guided us step by step in painting a beautiful robin. It was one of those mornings that just flows… full of chatter, laughter, and those poignant, quiet moments we all understand.

There was hot tea and coffee, delicious breakfast pastries, and most importantly… space, where you could just be yourself, with no expectations or pressure at all.

And that is what SOULS is all about.

This month was extra special too, as one of our group was celebrating a very special birthday. He had a lovely surprise (!) when he arrived to see the banners and the fabulous rainbow outfit we had made for him!

Moments like this matter more than words can say.

If you know someone who has lost a child or grandchild, please tell them about our group. It could make all the difference.

Last weekend we held our monthly SOULS group and treated our lovely families to a beautiful breakfast from Brie Mine Deli & Bistro.

Everyone was spoilt for choice, from fruit compote and fresh pastries to croissants with preserves, fresh fruit and orange juice, giving the whole morning a calm and relaxing feel.

What I always notice at SOULS is that if you walked past the room, you probably wouldn’t think we were a bereavement group. There is laughter. There are stories. There are moments of lightness that sit alongside the heavy ones.

And that is the magic of being with people who truly understand. We can laugh without guilt, cry without explanation, and hold space for one another whenever it’s needed.

SOULS is completely free to attend and is open to anyone living with the loss of a child, grandchild or sibling. You don’t have to walk this path alone.

If you would like more information about joining us, please email: hello@millysmiles.org or WhatsApp 07555541987.

Our SOULS bereavement support group brings together families who understand the heartbreak of losing a child. It is a gentle, compassionate space where you can talk, listen, share memories, or simply sit quietly among people who truly understand.

Grief can feel incredibly isolating. SOULS exists to ensure no family has to navigate that journey alone. There is no pressure to speak and no expectations to meet. Just understanding, shared experience, and support at a time when families feel that their entire world has collapsed.

If you would like to attend one of our upcoming meetings, booking is essential.

Please contact Lorraine to reserve your place:
📧 Email: hello@millyssmiles.org
📞 Telephone/WhatsApp: 07555 541987

You will always receive a warm welcome, with no judgements made, just time with people who understand you and walk in your shoes.

Our SOULS group last month was quieter than usual due to holidays but we did have some new people join us. The hardest thing about our group is actually walking through the door for the first time. Once you have done that you are made to feel welcome and comfortable very quickly.

We had a lovely guest at the group – Sharon, who came along to show us how to make a selection of fabulous light up bottles. As always it was a lovely few hours spent with parents, grandparents and siblings walking the same path and navigating life without their precious child.

Our next group is on Sunday 25th March at 11am. Please get in touch if you would like, or know anyone who would like to come to our next session

Our bereavement support group was held last month and was such a lovely morning. We had an amazing breakfast platter from Brie Mine U.K. which was thoroughly enjoyed, (thank you Lauren for doing a fantastic job).

The session was kindly run by Neil from My Colourful Memories CIC and included group flower making which prompted lots of interactive conversations resulting in excellent feedback being received.

These groups are not ‘sad’ groups, we laugh, we talk about our children and we share our experiences and coping mechanisms. Only those who have lost a child will understand the devastation of living without a child, and that is why this group is not only unique, but also essential for parents/grandparents and siblings wanting to connect with those who walk the same path.

For those who regularly attend we are able to provide specialised one-to-one bereavement counselling with our fully qualified and registered Counsellor, if needed. This takes place in our specially adapted ‘quiet room’ within our unit at Great Harwood.

Our groups are and always will be completely free to attend, just drop us a message or email to let us know you are coming and we will be ready to welcome you.

Our next session is Sunday 25 August.

Are you or do you know anyone living without their child?

Milly’s Smiles run monthly bereavement support groups for parents, grandparents and siblings.

Our groups are completely free to attend and are very relaxed, giving you the chance to meet other families living with the loss of their child.

Each session we will do some creative therapies which can be anything from candle making to planting tubs and planters.

Whilst we understand that walking through the door for the first time can be very daunting, we will make you feel so welcome, and safe, and there will never be any expectations from you.

At our last group we made crystal bracelets – it was a fun afternoon spent crafting and talking about our children.

Please get in touch if you would like to join us – 07555541987.

Our unit was full of love and laughter at our February SOULS group. It was lovely to welcome new members to the group and they very quickly settled in and became part of our ‘family’.

We challenged ourselves to learn how to crochet and out of all the different sessions we have held this is the one where we laughed the most – and that’s so important at our group.

Laughing and feeling joy for however brief a moment is something many grieving parents feel guilty about, how can we laugh and smile when we have lost a precious child?

Our groups offer a safe, caring environment for bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings to come and share thoughts and feelings without any judgement at all.

Please get in touch if you would like to join us or know someone that would benefit from coming along – 07555 541987.