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In 2011, two friends from Manchester, actor Danny Miller (best known for his role as Aaron in Emmerdale) and fellow actor and producer Daniel Jillings, were struck by how little support existed for children coping with the death of a loved one. What started as a conversation between two friends about grief has become one of Greater Manchester’s most vital lifelines for bereaved families.
This August, their charity Once Upon a Smile celebrates an incredible 14 years of transforming tragedy into hope, a milestone that reflects not just longevity, but the powerful impact it continues to have on thousands of children and their families.
Once Upon a Smile
Danny Miller producer Daniel Jillings
“We were just two lads from Manchester with no experience in running a charity, but we knew something needed to change,” said Daniel, speaking from the charity’s headquarters, Sidley House in Trafford.
From humble beginnings, Once Upon a Smile originally offered financial support and respite breaks to families struggling in the wake of a death. “We’d help pay for groceries, utility bills, even organise short holidays so families could regroup.
“But we quickly realised the emotional side of grief, especially for children, was desperately under-addressed.”
That realisation changed everything.
By 2014, the charity introduced bespoke children’s bereavement support, delivered not in a clinical or daunting setting, but with warmth, creativity and compassion. The focus shifted to long-term, personalised support for children navigating the confusing terrain of grief.
The birth of Sidley House
Sidley House – Once Upon a Smile’s Headquarters
By 2019, demand for their support had grown exponentially. That year, the charity opened Sidley House, the first dedicated children’s bereavement centre in Greater Manchester.
With themed rooms including a cinema space, chill-out zone, baking kitchen, music area and even a Lego room, Sidley House was designed by the very children the charity supports. The goal: to create a place where kids could feel safe to grieve, play, and heal, all at their own pace.
“We didn’t want a cold, clinical environment,” Daniel said. “Sidley House had to be bright, warm and fun because grief doesn’t mean the end of joy.”
From one-to-one sessions with bereavement practitioners to creative group activities and therapeutic play, Sidley House offers children aged 3–18 a space to process their loss in ways that make sense to them. Support is always tailored, and every child is matched with a practitioner who works with them throughout their journey.
A Story of Hope: Patrick’s Journey
Among the hundreds of young people who’ve passed through Sidley House’s doors, Patrick’s story stands out as a powerful testament to the charity’s impact.
Patrick was just 12 when his twin sister tragically died. He was the first child Once Upon a Smile ever supported.
“We worked with him through his teenage years. He passed his GCSEs with A*s, went on to study medicine, and earlier this month, he became a fully qualified paediatric nurse,” Daniel beams.
Patrick’s mother Michelle said: “Patrick’s success in life is without doubt down to the help, support and guidance of Once Upon a Smile. Without them, I don’t know where we would be today. I will be forever grateful.”
Patrick is now one of the charity’s young ambassadors, proving how children given the right support can go on to inspire others.
Meeting grief with kindness
The Once Upon a Smile team
In addition to in-person support, the charity recently launched the “We’re Here For You” bereavement bags, created in collaboration with children who’ve experienced loss.
Inside each bag? A snuggle bear, bubbles, a diary, and a beautifully illustrated leaflet that gently helps children understand their emotions and normalise the feelings that come with grief.
“Over 85% of Greater Manchester’s primary schools now have access to these bags,” said Daniel. “They offer a small but important comfort during those first few days after a loss.”
The charity estimates that over 70% of its referrals come via schools. Once Upon a Smile works closely with educators, helping them navigate bereavement in the classroom and ensuring children are supported both at school and at home.
Then came COVID
Like many charities, Once Upon a Smile faced significant hurdles during the pandemic. Sidley House had barely opened before the country went into lockdown.
“We had to take everything online,” Daniel explains. “It was incredibly hard. Our support is rooted in personal connection, face-to-face interaction. But we adapted and did the best we could.”
The pandemic also made fundraising, the charity’s lifeblood, even more challenging. With no core funding and just seven full-time staff, every penny raised is stretched to its limit.
Yet despite these obstacles, the charity’s mission has never wavered. “We kept going, because bereavement didn’t stop, in fact, it increased.”
14 years strong — and still smiling
Walk 4 Lync raised thousands for Once Upon a Smile
To mark its 14th birthday, Once Upon a Smile is inviting local businesses, schools, and communities to get involved. From bake sales and skydives to dress-down days and monthly giving, there are plenty of ways to support the work of this vital Manchester institution.
Daniel said: “We’re incredibly proud to reach this milestone. Fourteen years is an incredible achievement for any charity, especially one that’s still entirely dependent on the generosity of others.”
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, employer or simply a Greater Mancunian who cares about community, the charity is asking for your help to secure its future.
How you can help Once Upon a Smile
- Donate by clicking here
- Host a fundraiser at work, school or in your local community
- Attend or sponsor a birthday event – click here for more info
- Follow and share their work on social media
And if you know a child or family who may need support, referrals can be made directly through their website.
The people who make it happen
While Once Upon a Smile has achieved remarkable growth over the years, Daniel is keen to stress that it’s still a small operation, one run by a passionate team, not a faceless organisation.
“We’re often mistaken for being a big charity because of our presence, but we’re just a tight team of seven,” he said. “Our impact has been massive, but that only continues with the community’s help.”
One key figure is Kelly Willison, head of bereavement services, who brought a blend of professional and lived experience to the team. “Kelly’s work has helped shape everything we do, from our group sessions to the design of Sidley House itself.”
They’ve also been fortunate to work with partners like The JD Foundation, as well as local businesses who sponsor events and activities, but the need is growing faster than ever.
“We don’t want any family to face grief alone. That’s the driving force behind everything we do.”
Every smile matters
In a world where mental health challenges among young people are increasingly visible, and where grief often goes unseen, Once Upon a Smile is filling a crucial gap with compassion, creativity, and Manchester-born resilience.
From the first snuggle bear handed to a grieving child, to watching a young person walk across a graduation stage years later, this charity has changed lives in profound, lasting ways.
And as it turns 14, it’s not asking for praise, just support.
Because behind every smile they help restore is a story of loss, a journey of healing, and a community that cared enough to make a difference.
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