About
Building Empathy
I want to transform how organisations talk about grief, helping teams build empathy and strength during times of loss.
Grief is not a problem to be fixed but a reality that remains. It has multiple facets, including hope, purpose and strength.
I want to build a culture where employees feel connected and cared for but also empowered, even in the darkest of times.
I talk about grief with brutal honesty; there is no trying to soften the blow with euphemisms and platitudes. However, in that honesty, there is warmth, humour and compassion.
The purpose of Armadillo Life is to arm people with the knowledge, understanding and patience to be there for our grieving colleagues.
I use my own experience alongside my large bereaved community to tell you how grief feels, what impact it has physically, mentally and practically, and what you can do and say to offer support.
About Louise
Grief has been a companion throughout my adult life. I suffered the loss of both of my parents, six years apart, whilst I was still in my twenties.
In 2019, my 13-year-old son Fred was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. He died ten months later.
I’ve learnt first-hand how grief changes us and how we learn to live alongside it, forging new paths, careers and relationships. I’ve also been at the sharp end of what support is genuinely helpful, and what is not.
However, it is my firm belief that it is the people who we surround ourselves with in times of need that make the biggest difference to how we move forward. And we all have a responsibility to be the best we can be.
I have spoken and written extensively on grief, both online and for newspapers, television and podcasts. I’ve written articles on grief for the Huffington Post and the New Statesman and appeared as a contributor on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, ITV News, Sky News and Global Radio.
I spend my time doing things that bring me joy: walking the dog, reading, running, yoga, comedy and film. I play the piano very badly and my attempts to learn Italian have been only marginally more successful.
You can read more of my writing on Blankets & Biscuits.
Dustin the cocker spaniel is a key member of the team. He arrived a year after Fred died and provides joy, comfort and chaos. I’ve accidentally trained him to expect snacks during zoom calls.
I am the proud winner of two consecutive Woman Who Awards, in 2022 and 2024.
In 2024 the judges said “The extreme adversity in her life has led her to take the initiative to support others and create a long-lasting legacy from her grief. She has raised over £100,000 for charity, featured on Newsnight, and is now using her experiences in helping businesses to deal with grief and sadness. Louise is a very deserving winner.”
Sandra Garlick MBE, Founder of Woman Who said “Louise runs a successful business and uses her voice to support others dealing with grief. Louise is a role model and is sharing her personal story to raise money, awareness, and to communicate her message.”
The question I’m asked most often is:
“What’s with the armadillo?”
The answer, I’ve found, is layered.
While an armadillo may seem a strange choice, it is a perfect symbol for grief. Like the armadillo, we often draw inward in our grief, seeking comfort and strength in solitude and sleep. However, we can still learn to unfurl and thrive if we are accepted and understood.
And they’re the only bulletproof animal!
It carries 5 of the 6 letters in my name.
This little figure, seen in the image, was given to me by my mum on my 16th birthday. Through every stage of life, in every home I’ve had, this armadillo has quietly sat on a shelf, watching over me.
For anyone who’s read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, you’ll understand just how much symbolism the armadillo can hold. This story, more than any other, shaped my world.
Don’t Look Down
Fred Bennett’s Don’t Look Down Fund was set up in September 2020 as a CCLG special named fund. To date, we have raised over £100,000 for research into acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
We chose the name to encompass Fred’s fearless and risk-taking attitude to life.
Fred’s cancer did not respond to standard treatments. Although leukaemia has statistically good outcomes, doctors still do not know why some children do not. The money raised will fund research into finding new cures and treatment plans for refractory ALL. We also would like these new treatments to be kinder to children, with less short- and long-term side effects than existing chemotherapy.
We hope that you will find risky and adventurous things to do to raise money in his name.
If you’d like to read more about Fred, you can visit Don’t Look Down.
From The Heart
Louise talks eloquently and from the heart to tackle a difficult subject in a really productive way. Everyone could benefit from hearing what she has to say.
Important Conversations
An excellent, informed and open course about the reality of the many forms of grief that occur to us all but still prove difficult to navigate. Thank you for helping to empower important conversations.
Insightful
Really helpful session bringing light to a topic that is rarely spoken about. Louise highlighted steps you can take and gave advice from personal experiences. Would definitely recommend attending a future talk!