‘If I hadn’t come to Blythe House, I truly don’t know where we would be. As a mum, Blythe House saved me. I don’t know how to put it into words. Without the hospice, I would not be standing here today.’
Jade and her son, Ethan, were referred to Blythe House Hospice by their social worker following the tragic and heartbreaking death of Jade’s son and Ethan’s little brother, Logan, at just 21 days old from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Jade, from Grindleford, said: ‘It was the worst night of my life. Logan woke up to feed at 1am and went back to sleep without any problems. I woke suddenly at 3am and he was unresponsive. Tragically, Logan died at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
‘I was absolutely heartbroken; it was a truly devastating night. I felt like I couldn’t be a mum to Ethan. I was completely broken and blamed myself for Logan’s death. It shattered everything in my life – I thought I was the problem. I had no self-belief, no hope and no sense of a future. I experienced severe suicidal thoughts and didn’t want to be here anymore.
‘Logan died in July 2024 and our social worker referred us to Blythe House in September that year. Without the hospice’s support, I do not know where we would be today.’
Blythe House Hospice offers counselling and bereavement support for children and young people aged 4 to 18 who have experienced the death of a loved one, or if someone they love has a life-limiting illness, even if that person has not previously accessed hospice services. Through Ethan’s referral for bereavement support, Jade was also able to access counselling in her own right.
Jade continued: ‘Ethan was 10 when his brother died, and he absolutely loved his counselling and play therapy. The counsellor, Robyn was incredible with him. Ethan has autism and ADHD and finds it difficult to express his emotions, but with Robyn he was able to speak openly and honestly about his experiences and about his brother’s death. She showed Ethan that he mattered; that he was important.
‘He created a memory box, which we still treasure today, filled with items that remind him of his little brother. He also made beautiful jars filled with sequins to help express his emotions.
‘I needed help to understand Logan’s death and why it had happened. I was also really struggling to be a mum to Ethan and to support him in his grief. I was referred to Rachel and, honestly, she is my superhero. I don’t know how to put into words what she did for me. Without the support of the hospice, I don’t think I would be here today.
‘I feel as though I have been given another chance at life. I have learnt that I matter. Rachel was the first person who truly believed in me – who listened to what I was saying and provided the very best care and support to help me through my grief. I could be completely honest about how I was feeling, and she always made me feel supported, and never judged. She helped me feel like a good mum again. She showed me that there is hope – that there can be life beyond loss.
‘Everyone went above and beyond to make sure Ethan and I could attend our sessions. Transport was arranged so we could travel to the hospice each week. Stepping foot into the hospice was just amazing. It’s such a calm, beautiful place to be. Everyone is so kind and welcoming.
‘I was in an abusive relationship at the time, although I did not fully recognise it. Rachel supported me to acknowledge what was happening and to make decisions that were right for me and my family. She signposted me to other organisations, including Crossroads Derbyshire, who have been amazing in supporting my journey. I am now receiving EMDR therapy to help me process what happened.
‘If I hadn’t come to Blythe House, I truly don’t know where we would be. As a mum, Blythe House saved me. I don’t know how to put it into words. Without the hospice, I would not be standing here today.’
Find out more about counselling and bereavement support at Blythe House Hospice
