Our Core Values
Compassion. Connection. Family. Understanding.
Real people, real understanding, real support.
Our Values – Real People, Real Understanding, Real Support
At The Henry Nowak Foundation, we believe that no family should have to face the unimaginable pain of losing a child alone.
When Lucy lost Henry, she experienced firsthand just how overwhelming those first days, weeks and months can be. At a time when simply getting through each day feels impossible, being handed a leaflet or a telephone number and expected to reach out for help can feel like another mountain to climb.
We want to do things differently.
We want to create something personal, compassionate and genuinely human. A place where families are met with warmth, kindness and understanding. Where support isn’t just a website, a leaflet or a voice at the end of a telephone, but real people who are there to listen, to sit alongside you and to help you take those difficult first steps.
We understand that grief doesn’t follow a timetable, that every family’s journey is different, and that sometimes the greatest comfort comes from simply being with someone who understands.
We don’t want families to feel like they’re reaching out to a service. We want them to feel like they’re reaching out to someone who cares.
These beliefs are at the heart of everything we do and form the foundation of our core values.
Compassion – Leading With Kindness
We believe that kindness and compassion can make a real difference when someone’s world has been turned upside down.
When a family loses a child, even the simplest things can feel overwhelming. Sometimes it’s not about finding the right words or having all the answers. It’s about having someone who will listen, someone who will sit beside you, offer a cup of tea, or simply be there when you need them.
We want every family who comes to us to feel welcomed, cared for and understood. To know that they don’t have to put on a brave face, explain how they’re feeling or pretend they’re okay when they’re not.
For us, compassion means treating every family with the same kindness, patience and care we would want for our own loved ones.
Real People, Not Processes
We believe that genuine human connection can make all the difference. Behind every conversation will be a real person who cares. We want families to feel welcomed, understood and supported, never like they’re just another name on a list. We know that nothing can take away the pain of losing a child. But we believe that through friendship, shared experiences and genuine connection, families can find moments of comfort, strength and hope. Nobody should have to walk this journey alone.
Family – At the Heart of Everything
The Henry Nowak Foundation was born from the love of a family who lost someone incredibly precious. Henry’s loss has left a space that can never be filled, but the love his family has for him continues to grow through everything we hope to achieve in his name.
We know that when a child dies, it’s not just one person who grieves. Parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and the wider family all feel that loss in their own way. Everyone has their own memories, their own heartache and their own way of coping.
Family is at the heart of everything we do because family is at the heart of Henry’s story. We want to create a place where every member of a grieving family feels included, understood and supported. Somewhere they can come together, share memories, find comfort in others or simply spend time with people who understand how difficult life can be after losing someone they love.
Our Foundation was built from one family’s love, and our hope is to extend that same love, warmth and care to every family who needs us.
Because although we cannot take away their pain, we can help them through it.
Understanding and Support – Without Judgement
Grief is deeply personal, and no two families will experience it in the same way. We will never judge how someone grieves, how they cope or how long they need support. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there is no timetable for healing. Whether someone needs a conversation, a listening ear, a quiet space or simply a cup of tea, we want families to know they can find support when they feel ready, without pressure or expectation.