Ben is the founder of a Leeds based charity called The Swan Song Project. Among his many talents, Ben is a podcast host, a talented musician and an aspiring strongman. From his giant beard and muscles to the delicate intricacies of his musical work with the bereaved. He is a walking juxtaposition, and I’m certain that everyone listening will find his story fascinating.

Gary published his first book, Daddy and the two bears, earlier this year and it covers a section of his life that I have no doubt must have been extremely difficult to relive. Gary and his wife Michelle found out they were pregnant with twin girls in mid-2003. Due to complications in the pregnancy both of Gary and Michelle’s beautiful two baby girls died shortly after they were born. I think anyone listening to this would agree that the death of one child would be enough to break most people, never mind having to deal with the death of two of their children in such a short time period. In spite of this Gary has been brave enough to share his experiences with the world, and create a really touching and heart felt book that for anyone wanting to delve deeper into this subject matter should consider this a must read.  

Gary Andrews is a published illustrator and author (Finding Joy), who talks candidly about his personal experience of losing his wife, Joy, and how this has changed his life both personally and professionally for him and his family.  

This is the first episode of A Safe Place to Breathe – Conversations about Love, Life, Loss and Grief. This conversation is between David Billington and Laura Toop, about how loss has affected her life in numerous ways, from losing her mobility, an eating disorder in her younger years, the death of husband and then her father, and how these life events have helped shape Laura into becoming a grief and loss coach.