Breaking the Silence: How Beth French of 'Let's Talk About Loss' Helps Young People Cope With Grief

Losing a loved one is a universal experience, but the journey of grieving can feel particularly lonely, especially for young adults. According to a 2022 study *, 77% of 18-35 year-olds have experienced bereavement , highlighting the significant impact of grief on a generation navigating crucial life stages like education, careers, and relationships. It was in this context that Let's Talk About Loss was born, intended as a vital support network.

Founded by Beth French, the charity provides a compassionate and understanding space for young people to process their grief. Having experienced the loss of a parent herself in her 20s, Beth identified a pressing need for a community where young people could talk openly about loss without judgement. Let's Talk About Loss was born out of this personal experience, with the aim of creating a caring environment where grief is not a taboo subject. In this interview with its founder, we discuss the work of the charity and its impact on the lives of young people in the UK.

• What inspired you to start Let's Talk About Loss and how has your personal experience shaped the organization's mission and approach?

Let's Talk About Loss was born out of the deep pain I felt after losing my mother, Susan, in 2015. The path to starting a nonprofit was unexpected. Initially, I found comfort in writing about my experiences in a blog. By sharing my feelings, I realized I was not alone.
People reached out to me, and soon we were meeting in person to support each other.
This shared experience is at the heart of our association. We bring together grieving young people to create a caring space, where they can talk openly, find support and realise that they are not alone.
I know from personal experience the transformative power of connection during grief. It has helped me immensely, and I am determined to offer the same support to others.

• Can you explain the importance of the 18-35 age group in terms of your support services? Why do you think this group is often overlooked in bereavement support?

A crucial aspect of Let's Talk About Loss was to create a safe and caring space . We achieved this by setting an age limit of 18-35, a demographic often overlooked in bereavement support. Personally, having lost my mother at age 20, I found myself in a void between bereavement services for children and adults. This experience highlighted a real need for support tailored to young adults.

Between the ages of 18 and 35, life is full of big changes. You may leave home for the first time. You may move to another city. You may start college or a new job. You may meet a partner. It's a time of big transitions and new experiences.

Grieving during this time is particularly difficult. The charity provides a dedicated space for young people to share their experiences. We also work closely with other organisations to provide comprehensive support. Although many find us through social media, word of mouth and recommendations from other charities play a vital role in reaching those who need us.

• How do you address the taboo surrounding death and mourning, particularly among young people?

While there has been progress since Let's Talk About Loss was founded in 2015, the topic remains sensitive. Conversations about mental health have opened up, but grief often remains taboo. This is especially true in some cultures where talking about grief is considered inappropriate - you're instead encouraged to keep it to yourself and not tell others.

Our gatherings are designed to be caring spaces where people can talk openly about their grief. We create an environment where it is acceptable to laugh, cry, or just listen. By normalizing grief, we hope to help people feel less isolated. Many people struggle to talk to family, friends, or coworkers about their grief, so having a dedicated space for these conversations is essential.

• What training do your hosts receive to ensure they can provide a safe and supportive environment for participants?

Our meetings are led by volunteer hosts who are also young people who have experienced grief. While they bring invaluable personal experience, we provide them with extensive training so that they are able to support others.

Child protection is a priority, which is why our volunteers are taught how to recognize potential problems and respond appropriately.

It is also crucial that our guests take care of their own well-being while supporting others. We offer training on how to set boundaries and manage your own grief.
Inclusion and accessibility are fundamental to our approach. We want to create caring and welcoming spaces for all bereaved young people. To further enhance our support, we collaborate with organisations that specialise in specific types of grief, such as suicide-related grief or male grief. This allows us to provide our volunteers with the knowledge and tools they need to support people in different situations .

• What are the main misunderstandings about mourning that you hope to dispel through the association?

One of the biggest misconceptions about grief is that people don't want to talk about the person they lost.
I love talking about my mother, and I know many others feel the same way. It's a way to keep our loved ones alive in our hearts.
People often avoid talking about the deceased for fear of causing pain. While grieving can be painful, it is important to remember that talking about the person who died is a way of honouring their memory. By encouraging open conversations, we can help people feel supported and less isolated in their grief.

• What challenges have you faced in developing your initiative and how can we support you?

As a small association, our biggest challenge is to reconcile our ambitions with our resources.
We are fortunate to have an incredible team of young volunteers, full of enthusiasm and ideas. However, lack of funding limits our ability to fully realise their potential. An increase in funding would allow us to expand our reach and impact. Collaborations with other organisations would also be valuable, as they can open new doors and opportunities. There are many ways to support our work. Financial donations, purchasing our bereavement cards or book, or attending a sporting event are all appreciated.
Or simply following us online and sharing our message can make a big difference. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal of ensuring that no young person grieves alone.

• What are Let's Talk About Loss' future plans?

Our vision is to ensure that no young person grieves alone, and we are committed to expanding our support.
We plan to increase the number of meetings across the UK and explore different ways to support those who prefer other forms of support.
We recognise that grief affects everyone differently, and we are particularly interested in the specific challenges faced by young men, who often have more difficulty expressing their emotions or participating in support groups.
We will continue to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels comfortable sharing their experience.

*Let's Talk About Loss 2022 Survey https://letstalkaboutloss.org/2022/01/15/research-reveals-77-of-18-35-year-olds-are-bereaved/