5 Minutes With… The Loss Foundation

08 May 2025 — jessica-bailey

We spoke with The Loss Foundation, the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting people bereaved by the loss of a loved one to cancer.

Tell us about your organisation?

Dr. Erin Thompson (MBE), our founder, started the charity in 2010 after losing her dad to cancer in 2008 and realising how little support existed for people navigating grief. “When I registered his death, the lady behind the counter didn’t even look me in the eye. I had great friends around me but nobody knew what to say and most said nothing.” Erin and her family really struggled to find anywhere that could offer support and so, wanted to create a space for others to connect with those who ‘get it.’ 

Erin realised there was so little bereavement support across the country and started by running a support event in a community hall. The Loss Foundation began holding grief support events in London but, like many charities, during the pandemic we had to move all of our events online. In 2023 we started holding ‘Walk & Talk’ events all over the UK and now we host a mix of online events – where you can join from the comfort of your own home – as well as Walk and Talk events nationally. This year alone our Walk and Talk locations include: London, Liverpool, Devon, Yorkshire, Exeter, Devon, Oxford, Hampshire and Hertfordshire. Our hosts have all been bereaved by cancer and are there to welcome you on the day. 

At The Loss Foundation, we offer free support to help people navigate life after loss. Last year, we supported 1,752 people through counselling, group therapy, and peer support. Yet so many others still suffer in silence. Every day in the UK, 484 people lose a loved one to cancer. Many of those left behind – partners, parents, nieces, children, and grandchildren – find themselves without the emotional support they desperately need. Grief, when unsupported, can lead to depression, isolation, and a loss of hope. 

Our mission is to change that.  

What services do you offer people living with cancer? 

We offer a variety of in-person and remote events as we know that there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to grief. 

Support Groups – Online bereavement groups for sharing stories and experiences 

Connect – Matching together two individuals with a similar loss to share their experiences to form a mutually supportive, meaningful connection and friendship 

Therapy Groups – 12-week bereavement therapy led by Clinical Psychologists 

Grief Workshops – Focused sessions addressing common grief-related challenges 

Retreats– Weekend retreat combining therapy and peer support 

Walk and Talks – Our fastest growing service, our Walk and Talks take place throughout the UK – providing space for people to take steps through grief together 

Do you have a target demographic who use your services? 

Our services are free for anybody over 18 who has lost somebody they care about to cancer. Although our services are mainly used by women (over 70%) we are constantly looking at new ways to reach more men and also people from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as ethnic minorities. 

How are you funded?

We are a charity so we rely on grants from trusts and foundations, as well as donations. We are innovative in the way we try and raise funds to ensure that our services can continue so we have launched our grief resources (worksheets, meditation, videos and more to support people in managing grief), as well as our ‘When Life is Hard’ cards which we hope will bring a smile to the recipient during dark times.  

We also hold an annual charity night (‘Stand Up For The Loss Foundation’), our biggest fundraising event. This year is our 10th anniversary with some top-tier comedians, as well as amazing raffle prizes.  

Has anything changed for your organisation since the pandemic? 

Prior to the pandemic, all of our social events were in person. During the pandemic we then had to host all of our events online (via zoom). Now, we offer both remote events and in person events to ensure we can reach more people across the UK. During the pandemic (and up until January 2025 we also offered Covid Loss support). 

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do? 

Hearing feedback and testimonials from people who have been supported by our services. Experiencing grief can be a really isolating experience and loneliness. We are all about connection so seeing people come together is extremely rewarding. Seeing our ‘Walk & Talks’ branch out across the country  is wonderful as we know that grief support can be a postcode lottery.  

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive? 

Feeling nervous about attending our events is very normal. On average people think about attending a Loss Foundation event for 6 months to a year. We hear that the biggest step is in choosing to put time aside for ourselves, e.g. registering/ showing up. A lot of attendees tell us that this is the most nerve-wracking part (and that’s completely normal). 

Our facilitators and hosts are there to offer you warm and welcoming support and there is no pressure to talk more than you would like to as we know that grief can change from day to day. 

One of our service users recently shared their experience of attending a support event for the first time—read their story on our blog: The Courage to Turn Up. 

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services? 

“I want to express my deep gratitude for the workshop and all your work. Being in the group with fellow grieves is a very special safe place to spend time and process. Your facilitation and resources are very helpful in guiding me through this impossible passage. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you so much for running these Support Groups. I can’t tell you how much it has helped me to speak to someone who fully understands.”

“It was calm and there weren’t any expectations. It was a beautiful walk.”

“Thank you so much for introducing me to others who get it.”

“Honestly, the best grief event I have ever attended.”

“Without this support I do not know how I would have got through this.”

“You’ve made me feel normal again.”

“A lifeline during the darkest days.”

Who works for you? 

We are a small team: Erin (our Founder and CEO), Rohan, our Charity Administrator, Shelley, our Fundraiser, Emma, our Social Media Officer, and Lara, our Trainee Clinical Psychologist, who is currently with us for 6 months. We have an amazing team of volunteers and facilitators who host our ‘Walk and Talk’ events and our online support groups. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to support and reach as many people who need a lifeline in loss. 

What are the values of your organisation? 

Honourable, Compassionate, Progressive, Bold and Personable.

We are a small charity with a big heart and our core principles which guide our approach to grief support are: 

Sharing Experiences Matters
We focus on the importance of connecting with others who have faced similar losses. Our events are designed to be safe spaces where individuals can share their stories and coping strategies, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.

Your Feelings Are Valid
Recognising the complex and varied nature of grief, we affirm that all emotional responses are legitimate. We aim to provide a supportive environment where individuals can express their feelings without judgment.

Bereavement Knows No Time Limit
We know that grief does not follow a set timeline. We offer ongoing support, understanding that the journey through loss is unique for each person and may evolve over time.

Respect and Kindness
A cornerstone of our approach is creating a space where differences are respected and kindness prevails. Participants are encouraged to approach each other with empathy, recognising that everyone’s grief experience is personal.

Member-Led Sessions
Support groups are designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of attendees. While facilitated by trained professionals, the sessions are guided by the participants, allowing them to focus on topics that are most relevant to their current experiences.

Confidentiality and Safety
Ensuring a safe space for sharing is paramount. The Loss Foundation commits to maintaining confidentiality and creating an environment where individuals can express themselves freely without fear of judgment.

These principles reflect our commitment to providing compassionate, personalised, and respectful support to those navigating the challenges of bereavement. 

And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words? 

Compassionate. Supportive. Inclusive. 

You can read more about the work of The Loss Foundation, and find tailored support, by visiting their website at www.thelossfoundation.org. If you’d like to discover other bereavement support services in your area, please search on Cancer Care Map’s homepage using your postcode.