The Girl Who Turned Her Grief Into Comfort for Other Children

When Nariyah-Rose Redley lost her father at just three years old, she found it difficult to understand and express the feelings that followed. Years later, the young girl has transformed that personal experience into a message of comfort for other children facing the loss of someone they love.

Finding a Way Through Grief

Nariyah-Rose began using drawing and writing as a way to process her emotions after her father’s death. What started as a personal way of coping gradually became something she wanted to share with other children.

She discovered that memories could provide comfort even when someone was no longer there. Instead of keeping those thoughts private, she decided to turn them into a story that other young people could relate to.

A Book Born From Personal Experience

At only seven years old, Nariyah-Rose published her first book, Dancing with Daddy’s Memory. The book encourages children who have lost loved ones to remember the special moments they shared and to understand that expressing grief is completely natural.

Her goal was not simply to tell her own story. She wanted children experiencing similar loss to know that they were not alone and that it was okay to talk about their feelings.

Speaking to Other Young People

Nariyah-Rose has continued sharing her experience beyond her book. She speaks at schools and community events, using her own journey to encourage children to express emotions rather than hide them.

Her message focuses on the importance of memories and the different ways people can cope with grief. For children who may struggle to find the right words, she shows that drawing, writing and talking can all become ways of processing difficult emotions.

Recognised as a Young Hero

Nariyah-Rose was recognised with the Young Hero Award at the 2026 BBC Radio London Make a Difference Awards.

She was nominated for her courage, creativity and compassion, particularly for turning a deeply personal experience into something that can help other children.

Turning Loss Into Something That Helps Others

For Nariyah-Rose, remembering her father remains an important part of her life. But her story also shows how a painful experience can inspire something positive.

Through her book and her talks, she is helping other children understand that grief does not have to be faced in silence. Memories can remain meaningful, and talking about the people who are missed can become part of healing.

At an age when many children are still learning how to understand their own emotions, Nariyah-Rose has already found a way to use her experience to give comfort to others.

Source: BBC Radio London