Interviewees include: Meryl Doney, children’s author (lost her father as a teenager). Bishop of Hull, Alison White (lost her mother as a teenager), Bishop of Worcester (lost his parents at a young age, and his wife, the mother of two teenagers – keen to do interview), Dr Sam Wells, the Vicar of St Martin in the Fields (lost his mother as a teenager – keen to do interview), Chuka Umunna (Father died when 13), Cariad Lloyd (comedian, whose father died when she was 15, created the GriefCast https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cariad-lloyd-laughing-about-death-shouldnt-be-a-bad-thing-r2bxcnckr), Jack Rooke, comedian whose father died when he was a teenager, wrote the show “Good Grief”, Niatia Kirkland (Lil Mama), rapper who has spoken about losing her mother aged 18, and her Christian faith
Offering advice: Malcolm Guite, poet and chaplain, has recently produced poetry collection for the bereaved and serves as a chaplain, supporting young people at Clare College, Cambridge (Church Times columnist – have already interviewed), Sue Mayfield, Christian counsellor & author of fiction for bereaved teenagers including “On Eagle’s Wings”, Julia Samuel, psychotherapist (my fellow features’ editor at Church Times is a friend and will approach), Dr Lucy Stephenson, Christian psychiatrist and many more.
Experiencing loss as a teenager or young person can be extremely isolating. Madeleine Davies experienced this herself at the age of twelve years old when her mother died. Over 20 years later, she can still remember the loneliness that surrounded her, which is what prompted her to write this book, Lights for the Path: A Guide Through Grief, Pain and Loss.
Bringing together stories of loss, advice from doctors, counsellors, authors, as well as Madeleine's own experience, this book offers practical tips and incredible comfort to young readers everywhere. Those working with young people will also find this book to be a valuable resource for helping to support teenagers who have experienced a death of a relative or friend.
After reading Lights for the Path, readers will find comfort in knowing that they are not alone and they will find their way.
A counterweight to isolation. Many teenagers will be the only person in their peer group to have been bereaved. The book offers solidarity through the stories of people who have experienced bereavement as a teenager and can offer advice with the wisdom of years Hope: underpinned by the Christian faith in God’s love and a life beyond death, it offers teenagers encouragement that death is not the end Tackling mystery: it provides answers to difficult questions teenagers may feel afraid or embarrassed to ask, from experts in the fields of medicine, mental health, and theology
