Lived Experience

Some friends of the project wished to share their experiences as a bereaved child. They wanted to share thoughts on what might have helped them and how it affected their lives then and now.

At The Seddon Legacy Project, we are passionate for change surrounding grief education. Bereavement is something everyone will experience so sharing stories about how bereaved children are supported can promote better practise and more positive results for the child growing with their grief.

I lost my dad when I was 11 years old and still in primary school. He had a cancerous brain tumour and over about 18 months, he went through brain surgery and radiotherapy and unfortunately passed away after suffering a heart attack at home.
I remember the day we found out he had passed away, I was called into my headteachers office where my mum was waiting, crying and just said “he’s gone.”
Over the next few weeks and months my mum, two sisters and I had amazing support from our friends and family, but no real professional support seemed to be available. I think if there was something like The Seddon Legacy Project for us at that time it would have been so helpful as you just get through but without really knowing how to deal with the massive change that has just happened. The loss of my dad as a child definitely changed me as a person and looking back wish there had been more help available"

Sarah - Bereaved at age 11