Free Help Sheets

Practical ideas for coping when people can’t relate to your loss After someone close to you dies, you may expect understanding from friends or family — yet sometimes others don’t respond as you hoped. They may avoid the subject, try to cheer you up too quickly, or seem uncomfortable with your sadness. Feeling misunderstood can deepen loneliness, but there are ways to handle this gently and protect your own healing. ​ Recognise that not everyone knows what to say Many people f

Practical ideas for bringing variety, interest, and meaning back into daily life After retirement, bereavement, or major change, it’s easy for days to blend together. Familiar routines can provide comfort, but too much sameness can make life feel flat or pointless. You don’t need to reinvent everything — even small adjustments can add rhythm, freshness, and purpose to your days. ​ Acknowledge how you’re feeling Feeling stuck or unmotivated doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It’s a nat

Practical ideas for recognising the impact of loss and learning to live with change ​ Grief can affect every part of life — thoughts, emotions, sleep, appetite, and relationships. It’s not only sadness; it can bring confusion, anger, guilt, or numbness. Understanding how grief works can help you make sense of what you’re feeling and find a gentler way through it. ​ Grief is a natural response, not an illness When someone important dies, your mind and body react to the loss. G

Practical ideas for restoring warmth, closeness, and understanding Long relationships naturally change over time. Daily pressures, health concerns, retirement, or loss can create emotional distance even when you still care deeply for one another. Reconnection doesn’t always require grand gestures — small, consistent acts of kindness and curiosity can gradually rebuild closeness and trust. ​ Notice what has changed Emotional distance often grows quietly. You may talk less, avo

Practical ideas for rebuilding energy, purpose and interest ​ It’s common to go through times when motivation fades. You might feel flat, uninterested, or unsure what you’re working towards. Life changes such as retirement, loss, or health issues can leave you without clear direction. This guide offers gentle ways to rebuild a sense of purpose and get moving again. ​ Understand what’s changed Loss of motivation often follows major transitions. Acknowledge what’s different — p

Practical ideas for restoring calm, understanding, and balance at home Retirement brings new freedom and time together, but it can also unsettle long-standing routines. Spending more hours in the same space, adjusting to financial or lifestyle changes, and redefining roles can all lead to friction. Tension in a relationship after retirement is common — with patience and open communication, it can also become an opportunity to grow closer. ​ Recognise that change affects both

Practical ideas for bringing purpose and pleasure back into everyday life When life changes — through retirement, bereavement, or illness — it’s common to lose touch with what once felt enjoyable or meaningful. You may go through the motions without real satisfaction. Rediscovering enjoyment doesn’t mean returning to how things used to be; it’s about finding new ways to feel alive, curious, and connected in the present. ​ Acknowledge the loss of interest Feeling flat or detac

Practical ideas for rebuilding social confidence and contact Spending long periods alone can make it hard to reconnect with others, even when you want to. You may feel nervous about conversation, unsure where to start, or out of practice with social life. These feelings are normal. Reconnection doesn’t have to happen all at once — small, gentle steps can make it easier to rebuild confidence and enjoy company again. ​ Acknowledge how time alone has affected you Solitude can br