My Grief – My Way: Simon Says Interactive Conference

Creative and inclusive approaches to ensure every child can express and explore their grief in a way that feels right for them

Join us for an inspiring and practical one-day interactive conference, bringing together leading voices in childhood bereavement, creativity and inclusion. This event is designed for professionals who support bereaved children and young people, including those with additional needs, across education, health, social care, voluntary and community settings.

Event Details

When: Wednesday 25th November 2026
Where: Solent Hotel & Spa, Rookery Ave, Whiteley, Fareham PO15 7AJ
Why: This event is being held as part of Simon Says’ 25th Anniversary year, marking 25 years of Giving Grief a Voice Across Hampshire

Ticket Prices

Standard Rate: £110 (from 1 July 2026)

Your ticket includes full access to keynote sessions and workshops, breakfast baps, refreshments and lunch, conference materials, certificate of attendance, goodie bag, networking opportunities, stalls and book signings.

Why attend

• Make a real difference in the life of a grieving child
• Share and gain creative, practical ideas
• Be part of a child-centred, inspiring experience
• Leave feeling confident, energised, and equipped
• Connect with like-minded professionals

What to expect

• Hear directly from young people about what they need
• Creative, inclusive approaches for supporting children
• Practical guidance across culture, faith, and development
• Ideas and strategies you can use in your own practices
• Time to connect, share, and learn from others

Keynote Speakers –

• Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s best-loved writers and performance poets for both children and adults. He has published around 200 books, including the deeply moving The Sad Book (with Quentin Blake, Walker Books), written after the death of his son Eddie; the much-loved classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (with Helen Oxenbury); and A Great Big Cuddle (with Chris Riddell).

• Michael is currently Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he co-devised and teaches the MA in Children’s Literature. His work continues to shape how children and adults engage with stories, language, and the realities of life, including loss, love, and resilience.

• Nicola Marshall is a grief and loss educator, speaker, and therapeutic practitioner. She is the founder of the Meet & Grief Café and a TEDx speaker, recognised for her compassionate and thought-provoking approach to grief. Sharing the same passion as Simon Says, Nicola is committed to opening up honest conversations about grief and empowering both adults and children to “allow themselves to be themselves,” even in the midst of change and loss.

• John Adams is an experienced funeral director and the Funeral Advisor to Child Bereavement UK. A past President of the National Association of Funeral Directors, he is a respected national and international speaker who champions the need for a society that talks openly about grief rather than avoiding it.

• John was the driving force behind the successful parliamentary petition calling for bereavement education to be included in the National Curriculum - a landmark achievement not only for education, but for society as a whole.

You will have the choice of TWO workshops to attend during the morning. We will contact you 4 weeks before the conference to book your workshops.

Workshop Outlines

1. Creative ways to support children and young people with SEND- Sarah Helton, specialist SEND consultant and advisor for Winton’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK
2. Using dance and movement to support a grieving child – Andrea Walker, founder and director of 201 Dance Company. Andrea recently adapted The Sad Book by Michael Rosen into an award-winning production, which toured the UK last year
3. Creatively engaging bereaved teenagers- Victoria Hussey, bereavement and family support specialist, specialist trainer for Child Bereavement UK and a founding member of Simon Says
4. Faith and culture; how they shape a child’s experience of grief- John Adams, Funeral advisor and international speaker and Clare Shaw, Children’s author of therapeutic stories

Example outline of the Day:

• Arrival, registration, breakfast baps
• Welcome
• Keynote Speaker – Nicola Marshall
• Break and networking
• Workshop 1
• Break and networking
• Workshop 2
• Lunch and Book signing
• Keynote Speaker – Michael Rosen
• Break, networking, book signing
• Keynote Speaker- John Adams
• Plenary, certificates, goodie bags

Who Should Attend?

Teachers and school staff, SEN professionals, counsellors, therapists, youth workers, health and social care professionals, charity and voluntary sector staff, and anyone supporting bereaved children and young people.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive event. Please let us know about any access, dietary or support requirements at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Help shape communities across Hampshire where every child’s grief is understood, respected, and supported - their voice, their grief, their way.