Episode Number: 30
Release Date: 30th October 2026

Episode Title: Ann Chalmers MBE: A Life Dedicated to Supporting Bereaved Families

⚠ Content Note: This episode discusses stillbirth, the death of a baby, child bereavement and the emotional impact of losing a child. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Grief Unedited, I'm joined by Ann Chalmers MBE, former Chief Executive of Child Bereavement UK, who has spent more than 35 years supporting bereaved children, young people and families.

Ann shares how the stillbirth of her son in 1989 shaped her personal and professional journey, leading her into a career dedicated to helping others navigate grief and loss. We explore the power of empathy, the importance of listening without judgement, and how bereavement support has evolved over the decades. Ann also discusses the challenges facing grief charities today and why better training, funding and access to support are so important.

About Ann Chalmers MBE

Ann Chalmers MBE spent 20 years as Chief Executive of Child Bereavement UK, helping to grow the organisation and expand its support for bereaved families and professionals. Her own experience of stillbirth led her to become involved in bereavement support, initially through Sands, before developing a long-standing career in the sector. Now retired from her CEO role, Ann continues to contribute to bereavement support as a trustee of At a Loss.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The Reality of Bereavement Support: How Ann's experience of losing her son led her to dedicate her career to supporting bereaved families.
• The Human Element: Why empathy and vulnerability can be strengths when supporting people through grief.
• Listening Without Assumptions: The importance of understanding each person's unique experience rather than assuming we know how they feel.
• Changing Attitudes to Grief: How conversations around death, loss and bereavement have evolved over the past 35 years.
• The Importance of Training: Why grief education needs to be better integrated into professional training, particularly for counsellors and healthcare professionals.
• The Challenges Facing Charities: The ongoing struggle for sustainable funding and the impact this has on bereavement services.
• Moments That Make It Worthwhile: Powerful stories of families whose lives and relationships have been transformed by compassionate support.
• Finding Bereavement Support: Ann introduces At a Loss and its work helping people find the support they need.

Connect with Karen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuumcounselling
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/continuumcounselling
Website: https://www.continuumcounselling.com

Connect with Ann Chalmers

At a Loss:https://www.ataloss.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-chalmers-mbe-47818120

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