Throughout my career, I’ve been touched by many of the people I’ve met whilst acting on behalf of the coroner within my role as a Police officer and supporting families affected by heartbreaking issues such as bereavement and dementia.

Though not a qualified therapist, I draw on this direct experience of dealing with vulnerable victims exposed to life-changing trauma along with other skills that I have learned and developed when utilising advanced interview techniques.

In Christmas 2022, my outlook on life changed, after I suffered the unexpected loss of my Mother almost immediately following the death of my Grandmother. The only way I could put into words the loss I felt was to write poetry, poems I had no idea would later feature in my own book.

I spent time searching for a memorial book as I wanted to commemorate the lives of my Mother and Grandmother but couldn’t find anything on the market that I felt was good enough or that my young son could also enjoy and add to with me.

Following a period of ill health, I stumbled upon a box of sketch pencils and oil pastels left for me by her Grandmother before she passed away. Inside the lid was a label encouraging me to never give up my childhood passion of drawing.

From that day forwards, I decided to put pen to paper and embark on my journey as an indie author as well as try my hand at some illustrating. Several months of passion and dedication later ‘If Heaven had a Postcode’ was born.

I’m really so passionate about helping people, and using my own experiences with trauma therapy within the book to coach the reader through their own journey with grief, with poems written from the heart and hand-drawn illustrations, I hope that the little Robin will hold a special place in your heart, too.

I hope that this book can offer a little escape where you can remember the happy times and reflect on how far you have come on your journey through grief. Take pleasure in the little things and remember you’re not alone. I hope that this book remains proudly displayed on your coffee table and that you replace the postcards every year. I hope that amongst the tears, you remember those happy years. If you are ever struggling please be brave and reach out, thank you wholeheartedly for taking the time to read this.

“Grief is a privilege - How lucky am I to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” - A.A. Milne.

After finding a handwritten quote from AA Milne amongst my Grandmother’s possessions, I realised how privileged I was to have had so many years with her and my Mother. Though I miss them beyond words, I am so lucky to have so many wonderful memories. To be able to reflect on those times; to cry, and be sad, means that I am so lucky.

I hope that this book and my other books that follow it, offer a place for you to process your own emotions – to cry, laugh, be sad, and be grateful for everything you had. Gratitude is a huge part of processing grief. Grief is a necessary process, it is a journey we all must take, but it’s a journey we have to be brave enough to embark on and this book is designed to hold your hand.

Allow yourself to be sad, let yourself cry, allow yourself to be angry; work through those emotions and take it all at your own pace, and in the end, in your own time, learn to let them go.

Allow yourself to be unburdened and let the light back in, take pleasure in the little moments, look for the silver lining in every day.

If my career has taught me anything, it’s that tomorrow is never promised, it’s a privilege.

See the true beauty in nature, view the world in high definition,

Let go of the things that no longer serve you.

And always remember the good times.