A Child Of Mine - Supporting Bereaved Parents

A Child Of Mine - Supporting Bereaved Parents A Child Of Mine is a registered charity number 1152159, supporting parents after the death of a child and so A Child Of Mine was born.

A Child Of Mine was set up after the death of our own son Lewis, to Cancer in 2010. After Lewis' death we were made aware of the many gaps that existed in bereavement care. Like, many who have experienced a challenging journey and want to to give something back, we were certainly no different. A Child Of Mine's website offers a complete online resource for anyone affected by the death of a child,

regardless of their age or circumstance. We provide practical information, guidance and support from people who really DO understand. We signpost families to the most suitable support for them locally and we also work with the UK's leading healthcare professionals to improve the care they give to parents after their child has died. We are working on many new projects for 2023 and beyond, which will include the development of more direct services for parents and to provide financial assistance for families within Staffordshire. If we can help you in any way, please contact us directly at [email protected], through our website, www.achildofmine.co.uk or, message us through this page.

Thank you so much to Breege in sharing Ruairi's story with us đź’śRuairĂ­'s had an incredibly rare condition, so rare it had...
17/06/2026

Thank you so much to Breege in sharing Ruairi's story with us đź’ś

Ruairí's had an incredibly rare condition, so rare it had no name, but his life continues to make a difference in a truly special way. Breege has poured her heart into writing 'Ruairí’s Rocket to Heaven', a book designed to help provide guidance and support for young children coping with loss. It’s an amazing book that bravely tackles themes of death and grief head-on, offering solace and understanding.

You can support this incredibly important work and keep Ruairí’s light shining bright by purchasing 'Ruairí’s Rocket to Heaven' for £9.99 plus shipping we have put the link on Ruairi's page below.

đź”— Read Ruairi's story here https://achildofmine.org.uk/ruairis-story/

Remember our e-cards!Ahead of Fathers day this Sunday, do you know a bereaved dad that you could let know you are thinki...
17/06/2026

Remember our e-cards!

Ahead of Fathers day this Sunday, do you know a bereaved dad that you could let know you are thinking of them on such a difficult day.

We have created a range of e-cards that you can send to your loved ones to let them know you are thinking of them đź’ś

Use the link below to send your card and make a donation of your choice, that will help to provide support services to bereaved families across the UK.

https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/.../chari.../a-child-of-mine

Remembering our special boy Oscar Bert Neillings forever 3. 🤍Oscar died in Nov 2023 from Strep A and Sepsis.Oscar loved ...
16/06/2026

Remembering our special boy Oscar Bert Neillings forever 3. 🤍

Oscar died in Nov 2023 from Strep A and Sepsis.

Oscar loved fire engines, paw patrol and Apples.

We have a beach down in Dorset where my Mum and Sister live. We went to this special beach with him every time we were down in Dorset. Our children call it Oscars beach and we have visited the last two summers since Oscar passed.

"The Stone" by Jessica Watson“The best way I can describe grieving over a child as the years go by is to say it’s simila...
16/06/2026

"The Stone" by Jessica Watson

“The best way I can describe grieving over a child as the years go by is to say it’s similar to carrying a stone in your pocket.

When you walk, the stone brushes against your skin. You feel it. You always feel it. But depending on the way you stand or the way your body moves, the smooth edges might barely graze your body.

Sometimes you lean the wrong way or you turn too quickly and a sharp edge pokes you. Your eyes water and you rub your wound but you have to keep going because not everyone knows about your stone or if they do, they don’t realize it can still bring this much pain.

There are days you are simply happy now, smiling comes easy and you laugh without thinking. You slap your leg during that laughter and you feel your stone and aren’t sure whether you should be laughing still. The stone still hurts.

Once in a while you can’t take your hand off that stone. You run it over your fingers and roll it in your palm and are so preoccupied by it’s weight, you forget things like your car keys and home address. You try to leave it alone but you just can’t. You want to take a nap but it’s been so many years since you’ve called in “sad” you’re not sure anyone would understand anymore or if they ever did.

But most days you can take your hand in and out of your pocket, feel your stone and even smile at its unwavering presence. You’ve accepted this stone as your own, crossing your hands over it, saying “mine” as children do.

You rest more peacefully than you once did, you’ve learned to move forward the best you can. Some days you want to show the world what a beautiful memory you’re holding. But most days you twirl it through your fingers, smile and look to the sky. You squeeze your hands together and hope you are living in a way that honors the missing piece you carry, until your arms are full again.”

© Jessica Watson

Did you know?Grief is not a linear process and is a unique journey that can resurface unexpectedly. There is no timeline...
15/06/2026

Did you know?

Grief is not a linear process and is a unique journey that can resurface unexpectedly. There is no timeline for healing and that is why A Child of Mine offers support with no time limits. We offer relaxed and informal bereavement support whether you have lost recently or 10 years ago or more đź’ś

These figures aren't just estimates; they are the daily reality for countless families enduring the heartbreaking loss of a child. It's a journey of profound grief, often faced with overwhelming isolation.

A Child of Mine stands with these families. We are dedicated to providing compassionate support, ensuring they never have to walk this devastating path alone.

Six years ago, A Child of Mine established National Bereaved Parents Day with one clear, mission: to break the silence ...
15/06/2026

Six years ago, A Child of Mine established National Bereaved Parents Day with one clear, mission: to break the silence surrounding child loss and unite every bereaved parent.
Grief doesn't have timelines, and love doesn't care about age. Whether your loss happened in early pregnancy, infancy, youth, or as an adult child, and whether it was days ago or decades ago, your grief matters. Your child matters. And you are not alone.
This year, our theme is . 🤍
Grief can make you feel entirely out of place in a world that just keeps moving forward. It can feel lonely, isolating, and exhausting. This year we want to change that.
✨ This is my place to find comfort, safety, and understanding within a community that totally "gets it" without judgment.
✨ This is my place to declare that there is a permanent, honoured space for my child’s memory in this world, always.
As we kick-start this year's campaign, we invite you to claim your place with us. Talk about them. Say their names. Share your story.
Join us as we unite to support one another and ensure our children are never forgotten. đź’ś

đź“ŁWith only one week to go before we head to St Mary's Church in Stafford to construct our incredible butterfly display w...
12/06/2026

đź“ŁWith only one week to go before we head to St Mary's Church in Stafford to construct our incredible butterfly display we are delighted to announce our business partner for this project.đź“Ł

GT & MW Bathrooms and Kitchens have generously offered to sponsor Butterflies for National Bereaved Parents Day and we could not be more delighted to have the support of a local business. GT & MV Bathrooms & Kitchens believe that Bathrooms and Kitchen's should be 'designed for living and built for life' so if you are planning a renovation the team would love to hear from you.

Their incredible contribution will be used to purchase the structure and accessories needed to bring this beautiful and poignant community display of 2557 crocheted and knitted butterflies to life.🦋

But their financial support does so much more than just buy physical materials. By backing this project, they are validating every bereaved parent and their families whilst truly acknowledging the hard work of everyone who has been busily making butterflies at home. It demonstrates genuine care about our community.

Thank you for helping us bring this display to life! This means so much to so many ✨💜🦋

đź’śWelcome to all our wonderful new followers!đź’śIt is incredibly moving to see our community grow, and we want to take a mo...
11/06/2026

đź’śWelcome to all our wonderful new followers!đź’ś

It is incredibly moving to see our community grow, and we want to take a moment to introduce ourselves, share our story, and let you know exactly who we are, what we do, and why we do it.

Our journey began after our founder, Gayle Routledge, tragically lost her son, Lewis to Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Through that devastating heartbreak, Gayle and her family discovered a profound gap in bereavement support for parents navigating the loss of a child, baby, or pregnancy.

Determined to ensure no other family walked that path alone, A Child of Mine became a registered charity in 2013. Today, we are immensely proud to provide guidance, support, and grief intervention to families across Staffordshire and beyond.

We offer bespoke support tailored entirely to you, with no timeframes, limitations, and no form-filling. Whether your loss was this week or many years ago, our doors are open. You can have as many support sessions as you need, booked entirely at your own pace.

We deliver one-2-one support in person at our dedicated Family Support Room in Stafford, over the phone, or online. Reaching out is simple and approachable by emailing Gayle on [email protected] or given her a call on 01785 785819.

Isolation can be one of the hardest parts of grief which is why we run several peer-to-peer support groups for bereaved parents, men, grandparents and siblings that have experienced the heartbreak of pregnancy, baby, child and adult child loss. Each group is designed to break down that isolation and create connections with others who truly understand.

We are a small but mighty team of two bereaved parents, backed by a wonderful Board of Trustees and a beautiful community of volunteers whom we are incredibly grateful for. Lived experience is at the absolute heart of everything we do, ensuring our gentle support is delivered with the genuine empathy, respect, and understanding that families need.

For further information about our services and support groups please visit our website: https://achildofmine.org.uk/

Last week we gave a shout out to our incredible trustee and volunteer, Catherine Andrews, for her recent nomination for ...
10/06/2026

Last week we gave a shout out to our incredible trustee and volunteer, Catherine Andrews, for her recent nomination for a BBC Make a Difference Award.

Well, on Friday, Catherine was invited onto the BBC Radio Stoke Morning Show with Lee Blakeman to chat live on air about A Child of Mine and her 13 years of voluntary dedication to our cause.

Live on air, they announced that Catherine isn’t just a nominee!
She has been selected as one of the final four finalists for the Volunteer Award! 🏆✨

We could not be prouder of her. To celebrate this amazing achievement, we did what we do best, and celebrated her achievement in good company and of course cake! 🎂🥂

Catherine, your dedication, heart, and hard work mean the world to everyone here and to the families we support.

đź’śHealing in Motionđź’śFree Workshopđź’śWhen a family experiences the loss of a child, pregnancy, or baby, the grief can feel o...
09/06/2026

đź’śHealing in Motionđź’śFree Workshopđź’ś

When a family experiences the loss of a child, pregnancy, or baby, the grief can feel overwhelming and isolating.

On Saturday, July 11th, we are holding a very special, free afternoon workshop led by qualified therapist Joanne Keen from THRYV Therapy . This is a gentle, comforting space and not a heavy clinical environment, which will focus on helping families understand their grief and find paths toward healing.

Together, we’ll explore gentle coping strategies, share light discussions, and enjoy lunch. We will also be painting terracotta pots and planting seeds together, creating a beautiful, living keepsake to take home and nurture.

đź’śDate: Saturday, 11th July

💜Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Lunch included)

đź’śAge: Open to family members aged 10+

đź’śLocation: Walton Community Centre, Stone, Staffordshire

đź’śCost: Free, but spaces are limited to just 15 people to ensure a close, supportive group.

Come as you are. Your feelings are valid, and you are so welcome here.

The link to book your place can be found in the comments.

If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected]

Address

1 The Green
Stafford
ST174BH

Telephone

+447803751229

Website

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