Last week Andrew visited the Once Upon a Smile charity at Sidley House, which provides the only dedicated children’s bereavement centre in Greater Manchester.
Set up by co-founders Daniel Jillings and Danny Miller in 2019 after they identified a lack of available support services for grieving children and families, the charity provides tailored emotional and practical support to help make the incredibly difficult adjustment to life after losing a loved one.
Once Upon a Smile gives children a safe and fun environment to understand and express their feelings around the devastating impact of bereavement. The support that Once Upon a Smile provides is free and the charity works closely with local councils, schools and colleges to help reach out to those who need, and would benefit from, the service.
Andrew met with Daniel Jillings to find out more about the charity’s work and its plans for the future. The meeting was really positive and Andrew will be arranging an event in Parliament in this year that will help raise awareness of the charity with North West MPs who will have constituents that could also benefit from the service.
You can read more about the work that Once Upon a Smile does and how you can support the charity’s fundraising and events at https://www.onceuponasmile.org.uk/.