Grief can manifest in many ways and does not always relate to the death of a loved one. People can grieve the loss of a job, a relationship, a home, or even something that holds personal significance. This understanding was at the heart of The Good Grief Festival.
ID:Basil Newby and Hayley Kay on the Funny Girls stage for their interview as part of the Love,Loss & Living: Through an LGBTQ+ Lens event.
Taking place from 8th to 11th October, The Good Grief Festival brought people together for four days of inspiring events exploring grief, loss, and the end of life. Created in partnership with local artists, organisations, and community groups, the festival celebrated Blackpool's creativity while opening up conversations about grief in thoughtful, unexpected, and uplifting ways.
The programme featured a diverse range of events, including Dead Good Poetry, a poetry reading and workshop; Vessels of Light and Tears, a pottery workshop; Making Space – A Journal for Love, Loss & Reflection; Grief in the Shadows; and Love and Loss Through Rituals, a discussion forum. Visitors also enjoyed performances, including music from Electric Pink Voices.
Whilst grief is often a subject many people avoid discussing, The Good Grief Festival did not shy away from it. The festival created a space where people could come together, united by their experiences of loss, and engage in meaningful conversations that are often difficult to have. It helped build new friendships, strengthen communities, and encourage openness around grief.
Beyond the festival itself, lasting relationships were formed as people found comfort, understanding, and solidarity through an experience that, in one way or another, touches us all. The Good Grief Festival demonstrated the power of creativity, conversation, and community in helping people navigate loss and find connection.
I had the privilege of not only attending the events but also evaluating the festival and speaking with participants about their experiences. It was inspiring to hear what the festival meant to people and the comfort it provided by creating a safe space to discuss a topic that is often difficult to talk about openly.
From my own perspective, I also found solace in knowing I wasn't alone. Listening to others share their experiences of loss was a reminder that grief, whilst deeply personal, is something that connects us all. The openness, honesty, and compassion shown throughout the festival created a sense of understanding and belonging that extended beyond the events themselves.
The festival took place across a variety of venues in Blackpool, including the Central Library, Bootleg Social, Funny Girls, and other community spaces. By bringing events into different parts of the town, the festival reached a diverse audience and encouraged more people to engage in conversations around grief, loss, and remembrance.
The Good Grief Festival showed that grief does not have to be experienced in silence. By creating spaces for creativity, conversation, and reflection, it gave people permission to share their stories and support one another.
For many, the festival was more than a series of events; it was an opportunity to feel seen, heard, and understood. It reminded us that while grief can often feel isolating, there is comfort in connection and strength in community.
As the festival came to a close, the conversations did not end. The friendships, understanding, and compassion it inspired continue to live on, proving that even in loss, there is the possibility of hope, healing, and togetherness.
-Written by Emma Rowicki (CEO)
ID: The Good Grief Event Banner