Ellen Roome: On Losing Her Son & Fighting Big Tech For Answers

Holly Willoughby sits down with campaigner Ellen Roome MBE, who lost her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney in unexplained circumstances. Ellen shares her search for answers and her fight to change the law so that bereaved parents can access their children’s digital data. It is one of the most moving conversations of the series. If you have been affected by anything in this episode, please see the support links below. You are not alone. Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Ellen 02:37 How Ellen’s childhood prepared her for campaigning 06:11 What was Jools like 10:49 Losing Jools 17:48 Online safety: the challenge she is warning parents about 20:14 The inquest 23:14 The impact of Jools’ death 24:20 Ellen in her deepest grief 26:30 The fight for answers begins 30:38 Changing the law 48:50 Meeting Prince William and the MBE 54:30 Lauren Cowell’s letter to Ellen 01:01:45 An emotional memory 01:07:16 The tech companies respond 01:10:47 An update since the interview Help and Support:  Samaritans - Helpline: https://www.samaritans.org/ Internet Safety for Children: https://www.childnet.com/ Cruse Bereavement Support: https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/  SLOW - Bereaved Parents and Siblings: https://slowgroup.co.uk/ Follow: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollywilloughbytogether TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@hollywilloughbytogether Facebook: https://facebook.com/hollywilloughby Follow Holly: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollywilloughby TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@hollywilloughbyofficial Follow Ellen: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenroome Website: https://www.joolslaw.co.uk/ Together is brought to you by Voy: https://www.joinvoy.com/together Business enquiries: [email protected] #HollyWilloughby #Together #JoolsSweeny Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices