Grief is something I know intimately. When I was 20, my dad was diagnosed with lung and spine cancer. What began as a sudden, terrifying diagnosis became a two-year journey that ended with his death in 2008. I was just starting my career as a psychologist, and I had never faced anything like it.
What struck me most in that time wasn’t just the emotional toll – it was the absence of meaningful support. My stepmom wanted to speak to someone else who had lost a soulmate, someone who truly understood the depths of grief. But there wasn’t a service focused on cancer loss. There were wonderful bereavement charities addressing other types of loss, but a massive gap remained for the millions affected by cancer.
It was this gap that became the seed for The Loss Foundation.
I never intended to create a national charity – I just wanted to help one person feel less alone.
But over time, through small, compassionate actions, the charity grew organically into the organisation it is today. From our first local support groups to retreats, workshops, and Walk & Talk events across the UK, we have built spaces where people can connect, share, and navigate grief together.
What I’ve learned over the years is that grief is not linear.
There is no one “right” way to experience it. Some days it feels overwhelming; some days it feels manageable. And while time can help, the most powerful support often comes from connection – from being heard and understood by someone who truly gets it. That’s why our community-based approach has always been central to The Loss Foundation.
Along the way, we’ve hit milestones I never imagined.
We’ve grown from a single support group into a national charity, developed a team of clinical psychologists, and reached thousands of people affected by cancer loss. Each step has reinforced the same lesson: grief is universal, but support can be structured, compassionate, and deeply communal.
Looking to the future, we want to ensure that The Loss Foundation continues to be there for everyone who needs us
Not just today, but for years to come. That’s why we launched the Founding 500, a community of early supporters helping to secure the charity’s future. By joining with a small monthly donation, you help us keep these vital support networks running, expand our programs, and create more opportunities for people to connect and heal together.
Grief is isolating, but it doesn’t have to be faced alone. If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that when people come together to support one another, we can transform personal loss into collective strength. I invite you to join the Founding 500 and help us continue building that community of compassion, connection, and hope.
👉 Join the Founding 500 and help make sure no one has to face grief alone