Charity Story
No child should grieve alone
The way we work and the language we use has evolved over time, as all organisational language does, but the underlying principle has remained consistent since our early development in 2019–2020.
Our work was developed through our own practice, reflection, collaboration and consultation, including the contribution of Coleen Milligan, and was formally incorporated into Fresh Minds Education’s organisational thinking in May 2020.
We are proud of the origins of this work and of the many children, young people and families who have helped us understand what it means to make someone feel less alone.
This is part of the story of Fresh Minds Education, and we believe it is important that the history of that work is preserved.
The Origins of Our “No Child Should Grieve Alone” Vision
Our story began with a simple belief: no child should have to face grief or emotional distress alone.
The language and philosophy that underpin Fresh Minds Education were developed as part of our work in 2018–2020, during the early development of the organisation and its approach to supporting children, young people and families experiencing bereavement and emotional distress.
2018
During 2018, Fresh Minds began developing this thinking and in 2020 with the support of external consultant Coleen Milligan (née Symington) and Red Box support provided by NICVA, the vision was coined.
Through this work, we explored not simply the experience of grief, but the importance of ensuring that children and young people felt seen, understood, connected and less alone in their experiences.
This became an important part of the developing identity and purpose of Fresh Minds Education.
May 2020 – formally taken forward by Fresh Minds Education
In May 2020, this work was formally taken forward within Fresh Minds Education and became part of the organisation’s developing vision and strategic language.
Our central belief was, and remains, that no child or young person should have to experience bereavement, grief or emotional distress alone.
This was not simply a description of a service. It became a principle that informed how we designed our programmes, resources and support: creating opportunities for children and young people to find connection, understanding, language and hope, and to recognise that they are not alone in what they are experiencing.
Over time, this thinking became embedded across the Fresh Minds approach and evolved into the language we continue to use today:
No child or young person should experience grief or emotional distress alone.
