When the Unthinkable Happens: Life After Child Bereavement

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a textWhen the Unthinkable Happens: Life After Child BereavementContent note: This episode discusses child bereavement and childhood cancer. Please listen gently and take care of yourself, or choose to come back another day.I was worried about this episode.Worried I'd say the wrong thing. Worried I'd upset Nici. Worried I wouldn't do Nici, her family and Charlie the justice they deserve.I don't think I'm alone in desperately wanting to support parents who have experienced the trauma of child bereavement, while also worrying about saying the wrong thing.Nici Robinson joins me to share the story of her son Charlie, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just two years old. After three years of treatment, Charlie died in 2021.Together we talk about what no parent ever expects to face.I'm in awe of Nici as she speaks so honestly about the guilt, the loneliness, the impact on her marriage and children, and the reality that grief doesn't simply disappear with time. She also shares how she has learned to live alongside it.Out of unimaginable heartbreak came purpose.Nici founded Blue Bear & Co, creating sensory memory bears that hold voice recordings, scent and a heartbeat, offering comfort to families experiencing loss, separation and change. She also established the charity Thumbs Up for Charlie, helping families affected by childhood brain tumours create precious memories together.This episode is heartbreaking, hopeful and full of compassion. I'm incredibly grateful to Nici for trusting me with Charlie's story and for helping me reach parents who might desperately need to hear this conversation right now.If you've experienced grief yourself, know someone who has, or have ever wondered how to support a bereaved family, I hope this conversation helps.Find out moreBlue Bear & Co – Learn more about the sensory memory bears or donate a bear to a family who needs one:www.bluebearandco.co.ukFollow Blue Bear & Co on Instagram:@bluebear_and_coThumbs Up for Charlie – Find out more about the charity supporting families affected by childhood brain tumours:www.thumbsupforcharlie.co.ukDerian House Children's Hospice – The children's hospice Nici speaks about in this episode:📱 Follow Derian House on Instagram--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brainwave to episode workshop with me: https://info.the-untypical-ot.co.uk/brainwave-to-episode Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you to this season’s sponsors:Terri Wyse & Rachel HelmThey are offering EBSA support through webinars and workshops.Upcoming Sessions: 📅 8th July – Webinar for School Leaders  📅 2nd September – Webinar for Parents & Families  📅 16th September – Joint Workshop (Parents + Schools) Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5.School webinarParent/carer webinarWorkshopSupport the show