A Birmingham mother who spiralled into drug addiction after the devastating loss of both her parents within weeks has rebuilt her life and now dedicates herself to guiding others through their darkest times.
A Shattering Double Loss
Lucy Cole's world collapsed in 2015 when she was by her mother's side during her final moments after a prolonged fight with cancer. The trauma was compounded less than four weeks later when Lucy made the harrowing discovery of her stepfather, who had died suddenly from a heart attack.
With her marriage also breaking down at that time, the grief-stricken mother-of-two found herself utterly overwhelmed. To numb the intense pain, Lucy turned to alcohol and drugs, beginning what she describes as a descent into a "dark" period of addiction and mental health struggles.
"I was battling addictions and trying to avoid my grief, but only sinking deeper into darkness," Lucy recalled of that painful chapter.
The Journey Back to Light
Determined not to let her grief define her future, Lucy made a pivotal decision to rebuild her life from the ground up. Her primary motivation was her two daughters. She embarked on a profound personal healing journey, which ultimately led her to rediscover her passion for life and a new sense of purpose.
It was during this transformative time that Lucy identified her true calling: using her lived experience to support others navigating grief and trauma. She trained to become a certified grief recovery specialist, combining professional expertise with genuine, hard-won empathy from her own battle with depression.
Turning Pain into a Handbook for Hope
Lucy's commitment to helping others crystallised in the publication of her practical guidebook, '30 Step Guide on How to Heal, Grow & Love Life Again' in late 2025. The handbook distils the very process that saved her, offering compassionate and actionable steps for moving through loss.
Her impactful work was recognised when she was named 'Grief Coach of the Year 2024/25' for Central England by the Prestige Awards. Lucy believes her openness about her own struggles is key to her ability to connect with clients.
"I've faced the darkest corners of grief myself, and I share my story openly," Lucy said. "That transparency allows me to connect deeply and create a safe space where healing can begin."
Her powerful message to anyone struggling is one of unwavering hope: "Even in our darkest moments, there is always hope. Healing is not only possible; it is a journey worth taking."
