{"id":283818,"date":"2025-07-23T00:17:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T00:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/283818\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T00:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T00:17:19","slug":"once-upon-a-smile-celebrates-14-years-of-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/283818\/","title":{"rendered":"Once Upon a Smile celebrates 14 years of hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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\u2019s most vital lifelines for bereaved families.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Once Upon a Smile<\/p>\n

\"OnceDanny Miller producer Daniel Jillings<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were just two lads from Manchester with no experience in running a charity, but we knew something needed to change,\u201d said Daniel, speaking from the charity\u2019s headquarters, Sidley House in Trafford.<\/p>\n

From humble beginnings, Once Upon a Smile originally offered financial support and respite breaks to families struggling in the wake of a death. \u201cWe\u2019d help pay for groceries, utility bills, even organise short holidays so families could regroup. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we quickly realised the emotional side of grief, especially for children, was desperately under-addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

That realisation changed everything.<\/p>\n

By 2014, the charity introduced bespoke children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The birth of Sidley House<\/p>\n

\"SidleySidley House \u2013 Once Upon a Smile\u2019s Headquarters<\/p>\n

By 2019, demand for their support had grown exponentially. That year, the charity opened Sidley House, the first dedicated children\u2019s bereavement centre in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t want a cold, clinical environment,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cSidley House had to be bright, warm and fun because grief doesn\u2019t mean the end of joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

From one-to-one sessions with bereavement practitioners to creative group activities and therapeutic play, Sidley House offers children aged 3\u201318 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.<\/p>\n

A Story of Hope: Patrick\u2019s Journey<\/p>\n

Among the hundreds of young people who\u2019ve passed through Sidley House\u2019s doors, Patrick\u2019s story stands out as a powerful testament to the charity\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n

Patrick was just 12 when his twin sister tragically died. He was the first child Once Upon a Smile ever supported.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d Daniel beams.<\/p>\n

Patrick\u2019s mother Michelle said: \u201cPatrick\u2019s success in life is without doubt down to the help, support and guidance of Once Upon a Smile. Without them, I don\u2019t know where we would be today. I will be forever grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patrick is now one of the charity\u2019s young ambassadors, proving how children given the right support can go on to inspire others.<\/p>\n

Meeting grief with kindness<\/p>\n

\"OnceThe Once Upon a Smile team <\/p>\n

In addition to in-person support, the charity recently launched the \u201cWe\u2019re Here For You\u201d bereavement bags, created in collaboration with children who\u2019ve experienced loss.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver 85% of Greater Manchester\u2019s primary schools now have access to these bags,\u201d said Daniel. \u201cThey offer a small but important comfort during those first few days after a loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Then came COVID<\/p>\n

Like many charities, Once Upon a Smile faced significant hurdles during the pandemic. Sidley House had barely opened before the country went into lockdown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to take everything online,\u201d Daniel explains. \u201cIt was incredibly hard. Our support is rooted in personal connection, face-to-face interaction. But we adapted and did the best we could.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pandemic also made fundraising, the charity\u2019s lifeblood, even more challenging. With no core funding and just seven full-time staff, every penny raised is stretched to its limit.<\/p>\n

Yet despite these obstacles, the charity\u2019s mission has never wavered. \u201cWe kept going, because bereavement didn\u2019t stop, in fact, it increased.\u201d<\/p>\n

14 years strong \u2014 and still smiling<\/p>\n

\"\"Walk 4 Lync raised thousands for Once Upon a Smile<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Daniel said: \u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud to reach this milestone. Fourteen years is an incredible achievement for any charity, especially one that\u2019s still entirely dependent on the generosity of others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a parent, teacher, employer or simply a Greater Mancunian who cares about community, the charity is asking for your help to secure its future.<\/p>\n

How you can help Once Upon a Smile<\/p>\n