This year, National Grief Awareness Day was observed on the 30 August 2025, and as a fitting acknowledgement of grief and bereavement, and to those experiencing loss, a short film created by young people was officially launched on 29 August 2025 in Arad Goch, Aberystwyth.
It is estimated that 127 children and young people are bereaved of a parent every single day in the UK, with 78% of 11-16 year olds saying they have been bereaved of a close relative or friend, according to one survey held by Winston’s Wish Bereavement Charity.
The idea to create the short film, which has been in production for 12 months, came from young people at the Aberystwyth Community Ambassadors Group, who decided they wanted to co-produce a creative piece, that would raise awareness and develop understanding of what it means to face grief and bereavement as a young person, and to highlight the support that is available locally.
Members of Aberystwyth Community Ambassadors initially applied for a Youth Led Grant, that was generously awarded to fund the project by Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations (CAVO). With a history of excellent partnership work, Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch was approached and took on the challenge of leading the youth-led production. Contribution by the bereavement charity, Sandy Bear was integral to the project, with Sandy Bear Youth Ambassadors kindly sharing their stories and experiences, shaping some of the storylines. Also featuring in the film is the real-life experiences of a young person, Molly Grainger who established a successful online blog to support others following her own journey of grief and loss. Taking a leading role as young actors in the film, were pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig’s drama department, with the launch evening also hosted by two lead actors, Nel Dafis and Megan Griffiths.
Young people worked with Arad Goch, under the guidance of film director, Carwyn Blayney, to create a storyline and script, and filmed scenes in and around Aberystwyth, before editing the footage and preparing voice over, to create a short film, titled ‘Growing with Grief’.
Tiffany Davies, Ceredigion Youth Support Worker said: “The young people worked incredibly hard to produce a powerful short film, from start to finish. Their creation illustrated real-life experiences of young people who have faced losing a loved one. The film aims to show that everyone experiences grief differently, and that there is support available out there. Partner organisation, Sandy Bear being one local organisation that supports children and young people through difficult times of loss. The project has been an excellent example of co-production and partnership work, and the young people involved especially, should be very proud of their achievement. We’d like to express our thanks to all who made it possible; Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch, Sandy Bear, Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, CAVO and the young people.”
Ffion Wyn Bowen, Artistic Director at Arad Goch added: “Working together with the County Council on a project that put young people at the heart of the work was a tremendous privilege for us as a company. Young people sharing their experiences and ideas, discussing, growing in confidence and developing their skills to create ‘Growing with Grief’, a short film that will offer help and support to young people when facing loss, grief, and bereavement. Special thanks also go to the Sandy Bear charity for their invaluable expert contribution to the scheme, and specifically to their young ambassadors for their comments and courage.”
Molly Grainger, Project Volunteer said: “I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have been part of the ‘Growing with Grief’ short film. The whole process with so insightful, and the final piece is deeply impactful. I’m proud to know it will be a meaningful resource for young people in Ceredigion and beyond.”
