Helen Philliskirk

Mum of 3. Wife. SEND teacher. Bereaved Mum - supporting/challenging/helping to improve key services and organisations re: child death. Views my own

[The UK Sepsis Trust @UKSepsisTrust]

Huge thanks to Natalie Gribb and her friend Jenny for taking on the legendary four day Inca Trail for UKST.

They completed the challenge in memory of Natalie's cousin's son James, who died aged 16 months from sepsis.

They've raised an incredible £2,415 so far.

[The UK Sepsis Trust @UKSepsisTrust]

You may have seen the news today about new rapid blood test trials within the NHS that will help with sepsis diagnoses.

Our founder, @sepsisuk, was on BBC R4 today to talk about the test and was joined by Helen, whose son James died from sepsis. 👇

https://t.co/KBGNZsR3S9

[The UK Sepsis Trust @UKSepsisTrust]

In December, Helen Philliskirk, whose son James tragically died of sepsis at 16 months, attended the Royal Carol Concert to honour his memory.

It rounded off a year of working to ensure bereaved parents are treated with respect and empathy.

Learn more: https://t.co/VLZCEv3gBH

[The UK Sepsis Trust @UKSepsisTrust]

After losing her son James to sepsis, aged just 16 months, Helen found comfort in our support groups.

Help us continue providing these vital services: https://t.co/KacQBMiCt7

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

https://t.co/XerSaZwrc8

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

Good to bump into & catch up with Ron @SepsisUK today. James is so much more than then fact he died and how he died, but his legacy lives on in the improvements we are helping @SheffChildrens @syptweet @YorksAmbulance to implement in his memory #Sepsis #PatientSafety #Sheffield

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

@criminographer I am so sorry to read this news. Huge love ❤️

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

https://t.co/XerSaZvTmA

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

Like George’s family our experience of @SheffChildrens was unbelievable, but our experience was unbelievable in that their multiple failings & neglect led to James’s death.

It is fitting James’s legacy is helping other children be safer.

@UKSepsisTrust @SepsisUK

[Sheffield Children's @SheffChildrens]

Meet 2-year-old George!

His life was saved at Sheffield Children’s after the signs of sepsis were spotted in time.

Watch the video on the Sheffield Children’s Youtube channel to find out his full story and learn more about sepsis:

https://t.co/1KTeTzbCX3

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

@syptweet @UKSepsisTrust

[South Yorkshire Police @syptweet]

Our 'Community Spirit' Award goes to Helen Philliskirk 💙

Sadly in 2022 Helen's son James died of sepsis. Following his death, Helen became a strong advocate to ensure that officers receive training in how to support bereaved families #ForceAwards2024

[Scholastic UK @scholasticuk]

Win a teen shortlist pack of this year's Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize! 💜

To enter our giveaway:
- Follow our account
- RT this post

Giveaway will close 11.59pm Sunday 21st July. T&Cs apply. ⭐️

[Scholastic UK @scholasticuk]

Win a younger readers shortlist pack of this year's Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize! 💜

To enter our giveaway:
- Follow our account
- RT this post

Giveaway will close 11.59pm Sunday 21st July. T&Cs apply. ⭐️

[Scholastic UK @scholasticuk]

Win a older readers shortlist pack of this year's Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize! 💜

To enter our giveaway:
- Follow our account
- RT this post

Giveaway will close 11.59pm Sunday 21st July. T&Cs apply.⭐️

[Usborne Publishing @Usborne]

👩‍🔬 GIVEAWAY TIME! 👩‍🔬

Like, retweet and follow us for the chance to get your hands on a copy of Chemistry for Beginners! ✨

UK only. Ends 22/07.

[Emma Garner @ejgarner85]

Today is #NationalBereavedParentsDay. Surely that’s worth a stop-scrolling-and-read-this-post moment? Please? 💫

Talking about child loss is a completely normal daily occurrence in our family. Talking to a brother that is not there. Including a son in day to day life that isn’t seen. Carrying his ashes everywhere I go, in jewellery, wearing his handprint around my neck, never to be taken off.

But when I step outside my norm, I realise how un-normal these conversations and things can be seen as.
But why? Children die. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews. Mothers, fathers. Grown up children. Children die everyday. And left behind are broken parents, bereft families, unsupported families, expected to adapt and bounce back.

This is NOT possible.

Child loss forever changes every single part of your life. Your thoughts, feelings, relationships. Your friendships, your work, your commitments. Your mental and physical health. Child loss causes estrangements. New and unexpected friendships/relationships. It evokes feelings that you didn’t know existed and would never have thought possible. It makes you question your very existence, and that of others. Every ounce of your being is tested. You are metaphorically broken into a million pieces and will never be put back together in the same way again. But you will go back together…in some way, at some point. It won’t be pretty and you won’t be how you were before. But this isn’t a bad thing…

Today, I want bereaved families to know that they’re not alone. To those that talk about it, that raise awareness, that fundraise/commemorate their children in their own way - I hope this brings comfort and peace.
To those that find it too challenging to openly talk, please know that you are not alone. Your feelings, your intrusive thoughts, your bitterness, anger, angst, sadness, relief. Your trauma and your existential grief. I relate. I empathise. I know. I really, really know. I’m there. Always.

Please, if you do one thing today to acknowledge National Bereaved Parent’s Day, give this a #share or #retweet. #repostit. If just one bereaved family can be offered a tiny amount of solidarity, hearing from another, then my post made a difference. People reaching out to me at my darkest time made more of a difference than they’ll ever know.

Thank you.

#BereavedParentsDay #BereavedParent #BereavedMother #BereavedFather #ChildLoss #InfantLoss #ChildDeath #SIDS #StillBirth #StillBorn #TFMR #SUDS #TomsJourneyUK

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

@ZoeLintinNHS @jen_smith24 Well done Zoe!

[BBC Woman's Hour @BBCWomansHour]

'The 'How are you?' question is just too big'

Actor @halfpennyjill lost her dad and her partner to unexpected cardiac arrests, almost 40 years apart.

She told @claremcdonnell1 her advice for supporting someone who is grieving 🎧 🔽

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

@tombanham Huge love to you all x

[Helen Philliskirk @HelenS296]

These two @WestwaysPrimary friends visited @RNLI lifeboat Eric’s Legend in Poole last week. The lifeboat features two of their relatives who died-one of their grandads (John Peter Salt ‘Salty’) and one of their brothers (James). Film to follow! #WestwaysPrimary #Savinglivesatsea