resources

Our first in person Peer support group will be held at Crystal Palace Park on Saturday 6th June at 10.30.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1286659389867978/

 ABC Meet Up Groups are free, in-person support groups that bring people together in a welcoming and understanding environment. Our meet ups provide an opportunity to connect with others in the Beckenham, Bromley and surrounding areas, who share similar experiences, build supportive relationships, exchange practical advice, and reduce feelings of isolation. Whether you're looking for encouragement, friendship, or simply a place to be heard, you're welcome to join us. 

 A welcoming online community for adults bereaved in childhood. Created by Winston’s Wish, this group offers a space to share stories, connect with others who understand your journey, and find peer support from people who have lived through similar experiences. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultsbereavedaschildren/

My research explored the counselling experiences of adults who were bereaved as children. The findings suggest that childhood bereavement can have a lasting impact throughout life, with many people only recognising the significance of their loss in adulthood.

Participants described learning to suppress their grief as children, often putting the needs of others before their own. Counselling was most helpful when it provided a safe and supportive space where they felt seen, heard, and understood. Many also highlighted the value of connecting with others who shared similar experiences.

The research suggests that adults bereaved as children are a distinct group whose experiences may not always be recognised within traditional approaches to grief and bereavement. Greater awareness among counsellors and healthcare professionals could help ensure that the long-term impact of childhood loss is better understood.

I welcome conversations with counsellors, healthcare professionals, researchers, and organisations interested in learning more about this research and its implications for practice.

The books included here are titles that I have personally read and that some of my clients have found helpful in making sense of childhood bereavement and its lasting impact. Not every book will resonate with everyone, and you are encouraged to explore what feels most relevant to your own experiences and stage of your journey.

This reading list will continue to grow and be updated over time as I discover new resources and receive recommendations from others. If you have found a book that has been particularly meaningful or helpful, I would love to hear your recommendations and consider adding them to the list.

It's OK That You're Not OK – Megan Devine

Motherless Daughters – Hope Edelman

Homecoming – John Bradshaw
What Happened to You? – Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey

Father loss – Neil Chetnik

A Plain guide to grief – Dr John Wilson

Surviving the Tsunami of grief – Katrina Taee and Wendelin McNicoll

The heart in the bottle – Oliver Jeffers

Michael Rosen's Sad Book – Michael Rosen

Understanding Children's Experiences of Parental Bereavement - John Holland