It's Complicated
It's Complicated is a safe space for people to connect who feel their grief comes with added complications, no matter how big or small.
Once a month
Tuesday 7.30pm UK
Next meeting - 14th May
What is it?
It’s Complicated is a safe space for people to connect who feel their grief comes with added complications, no matter how big or small. There are many reasons attendees come to It’s Complicated some of these include, but are absolutely not limited to: Addiction, estrangement, homelessness, losing someone in childhood, multiple loss, relationship breakdown, stigma, suicide, supporting a child through loss, traumatic loss and unexplained death.
Why did it start?
‘It’s complicated was created as a safe space for anyone who feels they have a little added element of complication to their grief. Be that the way the person passed, relationships with the person who has passed, relationships with the family members or friends, anything really. It has helped to open up the line of communication and created a meeting where people can feel completely safe and encouraged to talk about anything and everything they need to, or want to speak about in a completely non judgemental supportive group.’ Founding Host Maggie
What to expect?
The meetings were created to give space to comfortably discuss experiences of complicated grief in an understanding environment, in the knowledge that your grief and experiences are shared. At the beginning of each meeting, attendees take it in turns to introduce themselves and the person or people they are in attendance to remember. We also share our pronouns to create a safe an open space for all. From then there is no pressure at all to speak, many people attend our meetings to listen. The hosts of the meeting will then ask the group if anyone has anything they would like to bring in to the space. Whatever a person has to say is relevant and they are welcome to bring anything to the meeting. All attendees are asked to respect the privacy of the space and treat others and ourselves with kindness throughout. Nothing is ‘too complicated’ for It’s Complicated and we promise you are not as isolated as you feel.
Where is it?
Enquire about this meeting
Meet the hosts
Here's a selection of some of our wonderful meeting hosts. / Voici certaines des hôtes qui facilitent les rencontres.
Fernanda
I love hosting because I want to give back to our TNN community. In your journey through grief, you should never walk alone. - I've had the privilege to meet wonderful people that are making a difference in the world and bringing awareness about grief and loss. Also got to hear stories from loved ones that are no longer on earth. - Yes! For the past year and a half, TNN has been a safe harbor. The place I can share my raw emotions and process my grief. - Hosting is amazing and I highly recommend people to get involved. - I've been volunteering with TNN for about 4 months now and this is by far the best organization that I’ve volunteer with. I feel seen, loved, and heard. I highly recommend becoming a host and getting involved. An extra thank you to Jack and Ben for creating this space for us to process our grief and to keep the memories of our loved ones alive.
Hollie
The grief was compounded by the loss of my Dad and cat just a few months later, as well as a miscarriage. As time went on I failed to find anything that really helped and my mental health spiralled out of control. I discovered The New Normal when co-founders, Jack & Ben, took part in the Good Grief Festival, and I attended my first online Good Grief meeting the following week. In my first meeting I talked, I cried uncontrollably, I shared my story. The Hosts, and my fellow grievers, reassured me that it was a safe space, that I didn't need to censor my grief, and they shared their own experiences. I have been attending for almost a year, and I can honestly say that it has saved my life. As well as giving back to the charity, hosting gives me the opportunity to provide that same safe space to others going through the trauma of loss and grief. My own grief journey continues but I’m grateful to have found a community here to go through it with.
Jodie
I love being able to hold a space for others, as I’ve felt the benefit of being an attendee and the groups have honestly been the space I never knew I needed to discuss my grief and share memories of my sister as well as thoughts and feelings I’ve had since she passed away. Being able to be there for others going through their grief feels as though I’m giving them a chance to explore things they may have not known they needed to explore.
Sophie
I lost my dad Greg in 2014 and my mum Michelle in 2020 both very suddenly. I started coming to good grief meetings in May 2020 as it was very accessible during lockdown and what a relief it was. I found people who understood and had so many similarities in my emotions and experiences. I love hosting the groups to try and share my knowledge and experience with others to make the smallest difference. I love meeting new people from all over the world. I love volunteering with TNN, it’s very flexible and fits into my week so well. It gives my grief purpose and allows me to explore it more. The people are so supportive, big thanks to jack and Ben for giving me this opportunity.