In this blog, Abi shares her experience of losing her mum suddenly and the impact this has had on her life. She reflects on the shock of sudden loss, the pressure to stay “productive” in grief, and the isolation that can come with being the eldest child after a parent dies.

In this blog, Nat reflects on how grief changes the meaning of “normal” after the sudden loss of his mum. He explores how, over time, life continues and others move forward, while grief quietly lingers beneath everyday moments and conversations. Nat shares how triggers can emerge unexpectedly, why the second year of grief can feel especially confronting, and the importance of communicating clearly with friends about what support looks like.

In this blog, Jack shares his experience of losing his dad to a rare, progressive muscle-wasting condition. He reflects on the concept of “trauma in slow motion”, the emotional toll of caregiving, and the complexity of grief both before and after loss.

In this blog, Freddie shares his experience of losing both his parents to cancer before the age of 23 and how his understanding of grief has evolved over time. He reflects on the differences between grieving as a child and as a young adult, the lack of support often available in your twenties, and the pressure to keep up with peers.

In this blog, Millie reflects on losing her dad to cancer when she was a child and growing up as a young carer. Millie also writes about carrying forward the lessons her dad taught her, finding joy amid grief, and how her experiences now guide her as she supports her partner through illness.

In this blog, Emily shares her experience of losing her dad suddenly while she was at university and learning how to navigate early adulthood without him.

“My mum and dad are so much more than cancer. They gave me life and I will strive to keep theirs alive.”

In this blog, Ellie reflects on “growing around grief” as she navigates a major milestone, starting a new job without her dad. She shares how big changes can resurface loss, why they can feel so triggering, and how grief has shaped her emotional resilience.

“I’ve learned that it can be isolating, and I don’t want anyone to feel alone in this pain like I did.  Growing around grief has been an emotional, chaotic, rollercoaster.”

Lea lost her mum, and with that loss came the feeling of losing half of her racial and cultural identity. Lea also reminds us that identity doesn’t vanish with the person who nurtured it. She dances like her mum, laughs like her mum, and carries her culture in the small, everyday things she continues to honour.

“But when I think of my grief as tangible, a thing, almost, I’m reminded it is just that; an embodiment of love held for someone that no longer has a place to go. For a while, this space was huge, almost swallowed me alive.”

With time, Eleanor found her way back to life. She returned to university, to friends, to family, learning to live differently, more bravely, and always with her mum’s love carried forward.

Jasleen is honouring her dad in a huge way, she’s running the London Marathon for us! And she has shared her story of losing her dad suddenly and her grief journey so far.

Krina lost her dad suddenly at 19, a loss that changed her life in ways she never imagined. She finds herself laughing more than crying, holding tightly to the funny memories they shared and Krina has found running a helpful space for her in her grief.

Mia lost her dad, Stuart, in June 2024. Mia delves into her journey with grief and anxiety, how it showed up for her and how she has learnt, with support, to manage it.

“I'm Ellie, I'm 29 and I lost my dad 3 years ago. Which means (unfortunately) I can offer a bit of advice over how to deal with the rawness that is fresh grief.”

“After loss, I think men often feel pressure to “do something”. They feel that they need to channel the energy generated by grief to show they are not defeated, but the best thing you can do with that energy is channel it into the courage to speak.”

Nat shares the quiet realities of grief. What it means to live in a in the same house without them and how your relationships with those around you can change, in his case, the relationship with his dad.

At just 26, Rianna lost her dad, Ged, her best friend and biggest supporter. His sudden passing from COPD turned her world upside down. Rianna shares how she’s learning to navigate life after loss.