Norwich City Footballer, Emi Marcondes Visits Smiles House 

We welcomed Norwich City Football Club player, Emi Marcondes to Smiles House a few weeks ago. Since joining the club Emi has been really open about his grief experience so we were delighted when he accepted our invite to learn more about how Nelson’s Journey supports bereaved children in Norfolk.

 

We also invited two football-mad brothers, Caleb and Finlay, who we have been supporting with their own grief since the death of their father.

 

Emi and the boys sat down with our child bereavement support worker Nada, and each made a memory jar, they chatted through memories of the people they were thinking of and what they like to do when feelings related to their bereavement start to grow inside them.

 

Emi revealed that recently it had been his dad’s birthday, who had died last year, he’d taken a moment at home to light a candle and spend some time thinking about good times they’d spent together. Exactly what we encourage the children and young people we work with to do.

 

After this they had a kick-about on the field near Smiles House, and Emi signed the ball for them. It was a really personal moment for the boys, which they really enjoyed, especially as he gave them and their mum tickets for the next match at Carrow Road!

 

Our Funding and Marketing Officer, Megan said “It was such a joy to welcome Emi to Smiles House and explain all about the work we do. It was lovely to see Caleb and Finlay share their stories, chat about all things football and even have a kick-about.  It really shows us football has a great power to bring people together”