4th March 2026
Because Jake* had never experienced a loss like this before, there were understandable concerns about how he might cope and how best to support him through such powerful emotions. Rather than shielding him from what had happened, the team at Mawbry took a thoughtful, person-centred approach – helping him understand, express and process his grief in ways that made sense to him.
Drawing on communication tools that Jake responds well to, the team created a personalised picture book about his Mum’s passing. This gently explained what had happened and, importantly, reassured him that it was okay to feel sad, angry, confused or overwhelmed – and that there was no “right” way to grieve. The book also highlighted ways he could express those feelings safely, including using his drum kit when anger felt too big to hold, and knowing there would always be someone ready to listen or offer comfort when he needed to cry.
Over the following weeks, the whole team pulled together around Jake and his Dad, offering consistent care, patience and emotional support. Team members remained attentive to his needs, watching for signs of distress, celebrating small moments of calm, and simply being there when he needed companionship or reassurance.
Jake’s Dad has spoken movingly about how much this has meant to him during such a painful time. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved, saying how thankful he is for the care shown to his son and how much peace of mind this has given him, knowing that Jake is safe, supported and being looked after with genuine compassion.
This experience has shown the strength of the Mawbry team at their best – working together, communicating creatively, and placing human connection at the heart of everything they do. It is a powerful reminder that, even in grief, people can feel held, understood and cared for in meaningful ways.
*not his real name or photo