Daisy

Daisy arrived at our group withdrawn, anxious and struggling to deal with grief. Seven weeks later, Daisy was expressing how she felt, working through her feelings and finding support in her peers.

Nine year old Daisy was referred to our Mentoring Group as she was struggling with her mental health after the loss of a close family member. Still waiting for professional therapy, her school Family Support Worker suggested that coming along to the group could provide a safe space for her to navigate the complex emotions associated with grief at such a young age.

In the first week, Daisy was extremely quiet and withdrawn. She rarely spoke and seemed to lack confidence, keeping her thoughts and feelings tightly held in. However, gradually Daisy started to open up—first with small comments in the group, then by sharing her love for acting and performing. She began forming trusting relationships with our staff, often choosing to approach them at the start of sessions to talk about her week, her worries, and her hopes.

Week five was a real turning point. The session focused on anxiety and worry—feelings Daisy bravely spoke about for the first time, including her experience of panic attacks.
Together, we explored ways to manage these big emotions, and each child created their own mindfulness notebook filled with calming strategies and space to write about their worries. Daisy poured thought and care into hers. She later told us it was her favourite part of the Mentoring Group and she now uses it regularly: “It helps calm me down when I feel anxious or upset.”

By the final week Daisy was initiating conversations, answering questions confidently, and reflecting openly on her emotions. She told us she had made new friends, felt heard, and—perhaps most importantly—knew what to do when difficult feelings came up.

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line, and there is no simple fix for a child navigating loss. But through consistent care, emotional learning, and nurturing relationships, our Mentoring Group gave Daisy the tools to begin healing. She left the programme with stronger wellbeing, a sense of connection, and a growing ability to manage her emotions—one small step at a time.