January can be a difficult time for everyone, returning to work after having had time off with family over the festive season, short of money through overspending, and those 'back to work' blues.

Imagine then what it must feel like for a bereaved family. 

Whilst others are out celebrating and welcoming the New Year the bereaved family are coming to terms with another year without their baby or child. New Years Eve is just another reminder for them of how long they have been missing a loved one. Often they will go out with friends and try to join in but it can often end up with them crying in a corner feeling very alone.

Often families explain that they can feel guilty that they have gone out or are celebrating and feel that others may judge them for going out or think that they must be 'over it'. Whereas in reality they will never be over it and sometimes going out is a way of trying to block out the emotions and feelings.

Once New Year is over then it moves onto people returning to the everyday routine of work. 

The bereaved are left feeling even more alone. 

Some may still be off work and are suddenly left on their own again which can cause anxiety and isolation. Family members that had been popping by regularly over the festive season are now unable to do so. Partners who have been there for you are suddenly having to go to work. 

You may have also returned to work and that feeling of going back is unbearable, everyone says that New Year is out with the old and in with the new. You fear that workmates will be thinking that you have moved forward and will try and hide your true feelings because you don't want to feel like a burden. 

New Year to me now has a totally different meaning since we lost Charlie, and it has changed how I approach people after the celebrations have finished. I now understand that many people will be feeling similar to me but again like me are trying to cover their feelings up. People don't always disclose a loss to colleagues so if you see a workmate who seems quieter or more isolated spare a moment to say hello. Just saying hello shows them that you care and can sometimes give them the courage to open up.

One of my New Year Resolutions was to try and spend more time chatting with friends, colleagues and families we work with. Communication is the main way to achieve things and can make a huge difference to someones life.

In an ideal world we would all be able to be nicer and more understanding of each other and realise that lots of people are struggling through things we know nothing about, but life is busy and life is hard. 

If nothing else we can all share a smile with others as we go about our daily life. That smile might be the only friendly face someone has seen that day and could mean such a lot.