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.
