RIGHT BESIDE ME
Passing on an act of kindness.
Is someone you know grieving the loss of a loved one?
Nominate them for a gift to show you're thinking of them.
Hi there! My name is Jeanette and here is my story…
On the 7th of June 2021 I received the worst news any parent could hear. My son Nathan had tragically passed away in a road traffic collision. This news was and still is devastating, and life since that day has never been the same. At 27, Nathan had his whole life ahead of him and now myself and his two younger sisters have a huge hole in our hearts that can never be filled.
As a family, we were given a lot of help and support in the early days. We received gifts from family and friends like memorial bears, key rings, cushions, and even counselling sessions. Each gift reminded us not only of our Nathan, but also of the kindness and love felt by the sender.
Which made me think… How can I pass on these acts of kindness?
That’s when the idea for Right Beside Me was founded and the concept is simple. If someone you care about is grieving the loss of a loved one, you can nominate them to receive a gift. All you have to do is get in touch with us with details of the gift you would like to send, and we can make it happen.
Jeanette – in loving memory of my Nathan
Nathan (top) and his lovely cat, Arty (bottom)
How can I support my grieving loved one?
When someone you love is grieving it can feel impossible to know what to do or how to make yourself feel useful. Often the bereaved person can feel isolated in their grief, even when they know they have a network of support around them. Other times, they may not have many people to lean on at all.
Sometimes all you can do is show up for that person in small ways, like cooking a meal, cleaning their house, taking their dog for a walk, or by buying them a small gift to show you’re thinking of them. There are no big or quick fixes when someone you love dies, but being seen and heard by your friends and family can go a long way.
We have made it easier for you to show your support to your grieving family member or friend. A small act of kindness that will hopefully brighten their day and show them they are in your thoughts.
When is the best time to send my gift?
We feel that when someone has lost a person they love, they are shown a lot of love and support in the early months. They receive flowers, gifts, home cooked food, candles, and they’re taken out for walks and for a coffee or drink. Only, months and years down the line, that support is quieter and less obvious.
We all know deep down that our loved ones are still thinking about us and grieving with us but in the depths of our isolation it can be hard to remember that. Which is why we want to show people who are a little further down the path of their grief that they are still loved and thought of, not just as a friend or family member but because they are grieving someone they cared deeply about.
How does it work?
1. Nominate your loved one here.
2. Let us know what gift you’d like to send and what to include in their card.
3. Join our club and make a one-off donation or subscribe to a payment of £1 a week or whatever you can afford. (Optional)
What gift can I send?
There are a number of gifts available.
- A memorial bear using some of the deceased’s clothing.
- A hair or nail appointment.
- Afternoon tea to bring you together.
- Flowers.
- Rage room.
- Memorial items
Join Our Private Facebook Group
We have a provate Facebook group for grieving people, where we share our feelings, rants, memories, quotes, pictures, milestones, and more. It is a group that offers support from people who have experienced their own grief.
We have kept the group private so that anything you post can be said without the worry of someone you know seeing it. Oftentimes, we just need to get something off our chest but putting it on social media can feel vulnerable and like we are oversharing. We also don’t always feel comfortable sharing these thoughts and feelings with those closest to us. So, this is a safe space to share your grief in private.