In 2012 Rhian Mannings’ life suddenly and tragically changed when first her young son George died, followed 5 days later by her husband Paul.

In this important and uplifting conversation, we explore how support was missing for bereaved parents like Rhian and Paul and how, what she imagined would be “hobby”, turned into a nationwide charity called 2 Wish Upon A Star providing immediate and ongoing bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult aged 25 or under.

We learn about the importance of the elephant in the bereavement box (and in the room) and discuss “masculinities” and how they have an impact on how and when men seek out the help they need.

Plus we scatter some celebrity stardust from the likes of Sam Warburton, Will Champion, Nick Knowles and Michael Sheen.

Contents

01:00 Spring, getting out the house in Wales, rugby and the importance of sport

03:10 Why The Great Escape is analogy for how James feels

05:40 Rhian’s path to founding 2 Wish Upon a Star. Losing George and Paul.

“Over the next few days, what was clear, very quickly, was that there was no support available to us as a family. We were very much abandoned by the system really. Luckily we had amazing family and friends around us, we were lucky in that respect.”

07:00 Starting the charity - I just needed something to keep me going.

08:30 Lacking support, Paul blamed himself.

“We got a piece of paper with some phone numbers on, some of them were out of order and I'm still waiting for the rest of them to contact me today.”

09:40 Going into A&E departments and asking for the person in charge

“And I said, what will happen today? If a child died suddenly? And the same thing that happened to us would have happened to them.”

11:00 Finding the strength to tell her story

12:30 Ian talks about his friendship with Paul and the first time he met Rhian

14:15 Reflecting on bereavement and how different families have coped with lockdown

15:00 Keeping 2 Wish Upon A Star going during lockdown

16:40 The elephant in the room - memory boxes and remembering

“When George died, I'll never forget the nurses just panicked because they couldn't find anything to perhaps take some fingerprints or hand prints or some, some of his curls.”

19:00 Paul felt like he’d failed everyone

21:00 Multiple masculinities and the pressure men can feel

23:00 Supporting dads - the importance of sport in the charity’s work.

24:30 The Welsh rugby team - role models for mental health

26:00 Celebrity Ambassadors - Will Champion and Nick Knowles

27:00 Super actor Michael Sheen unveiled as new ambassador!

Tips

Photograph your kids asleep (!)
Recognise when you nee to plug your battery in
Understand that reaching out the help is not a sign of weakness, it is often a sign of strength.

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Connect Or Contact With Rhian And Her Charity

https://twitter.com/2wishupon

https://www.2wishuponastar.org/

Learn about the OECD report - “Man Enough”

Rhian Mannings MBE - 2 Wish Upon A Star

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