Nelson’s Journey: Three Decades of Healing Young Hearts Through Grief
In a quiet corner of Norfolk, a remarkable charity has been quietly transforming the lives of children facing one of life’s most challenging experiences—the loss of a loved one. Nelson’s Journey, founded in 1997, recently reached an extraordinary milestone: supporting 10,000 bereaved children through their darkest hours. This achievement represents not just numbers, but thousands of individual stories of healing, growth, and resilience in the face of profound loss.
For nearly 30 years, Nelson’s Journey has dedicated itself to providing a lifeline for young people navigating the complex terrain of grief. Their approach recognizes that children process loss differently than adults, requiring specialized support tailored to their developmental needs. The charity’s impact extends far beyond immediate crisis intervention; it creates spaces where children can express their feelings openly, connect with peers experiencing similar challenges, and gradually rebuild their sense of hope and normalcy. As they mark this significant milestone, the organization is launching their “10,000 Journeys” campaign, sharing powerful stories through films and blogs across their social media platforms and website, giving voice to those they’ve supported throughout the charity’s lifetime.
One such story belongs to Amelia, whose journey with the charity came full circle in the most meaningful way. Having lost her father when she was just three years old, Amelia first encountered Nelson’s Journey at age seven. Like many children supported by the charity, she participated in weekend retreats at Hilltop Outdoor Centre—experiences she now recalls with profound gratitude. “I look back on these weekends with joy. They were a big part of my journey and helped me come to terms with something I didn’t know how to talk about with anyone else,” she shares. These retreats provided more than just activities; they offered Amelia the rare opportunity to connect with other children who understood her experience, creating a community where she no longer felt isolated in her grief.
The power of Nelson’s Journey lies in its ability to validate children’s emotional responses to loss. For Amelia, this validation became a cornerstone of her healing process. “Through the support workers and the other kids, I learned that my pain, sadness, anger and even relief, were all valid, and that is something I carry with me to this day,” she reflects. This understanding—that there is no single “right way” to grieve—empowers children to process their emotions authentically rather than suppressing them. The charity creates safe spaces where children can express their feelings through age-appropriate activities, creative outlets, and conversations, guided by trained professionals who understand the complexity of childhood bereavement.
What makes Nelson’s Journey particularly special is the lasting impact it has on the lives it touches. Amelia’s story exemplifies this beautifully—after graduating from university, she chose to return to the charity as a volunteer, inspired to give back to the organization that supported her through her own grief journey. Her experience with Nelson’s Journey not only helped her navigate her childhood loss but also shaped her future path. “I am now volunteering for Nelson’s Journey myself and pursuing a career in child welfare,” she explains, illustrating how the charity’s influence extends far beyond the immediate period of bereavement support, often inspiring recipients to contribute to similar causes as they grow older.
As Nelson’s Journey celebrates this remarkable milestone, the charity continues to evolve and expand its services to meet the changing needs of bereaved children in Norfolk. The 10,000 children supported represent countless transformed lives—young people who, like Amelia, found their way forward through grief with the charity’s guidance. “Without Nelson’s Journey, it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Amelia reflects, a sentiment likely shared by many among those 10,000 journeys. Through their compassionate approach, dedicated team, and community of supporters, Nelson’s Journey has created a lasting legacy of healing—one child, one family, one journey at a time. As they look toward the future, the charity remains committed to ensuring that no child in Norfolk has to navigate the complex path of grief alone.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration unconstitutionally violated the free speech rights of pro-Palestinian protesters and academics — saying in a blistering…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/montreal-s-old-port-featuring-the-illuminated-grande-roue-de-montreal-and-a-colourful-ice-skating-rink-surrounded-by-snow-and-c.png?id=55832575&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C29%2C0%2C30"/><br/><br/><p>Like any major city, Montreal has two sides — one the tourists see and one they don't.</p><p>For folks passing through, essential stops throughout the city often include a handful of bucket list items such as climbing Mount Royal, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal/montreal-bagels">having a world-famous Montreal bagel</a>, and attending a Canadiens game.</p><p>However, not everything catered to visitors is worth their while. </p><p>With that in mind, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/r/entryeditor/<iframe%20src=%22https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMTLBlog%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0pH7NZQipu2hBGuLYDaK8DVoMBSfi9Kz88mukKAk5gjZdWCrmWWK9ffJqKYkAWXFdl&show_text=true&width=500%22%20width=%22500%22%20height=%22250%22%20style=%22border:none;overflow:hidden%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20allow=%22autoplay;%20clipboard-write;%20encrypted-media;%20picture-in-picture;%20web-share%22%3E</iframe%3E" target="_self">we asked MTL Blog's social media followers</a> one simple question: "What do you think is <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-tourist-attractions-ranked-disappointing-canada">Montreal's biggest tourist trap</a>?"</p><p>Our readers didn't disappoint, getting specific with what they thought tourists (or locals!) should skip the next time they're in town.</p><p>With that said, here's a list of activities visitors might want to think twice about based on the top responses.</p><h3>The "underground city"</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjP5zRTPu3/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Visitors often get excited when they hear about Montreal having a grand underground city. In reality, it's more of a shopping mall connected through a series of tunnels and Metro stations.</p><p>"Tourists think it's a historic archaeological underground urban wonder, like Troy. Boy, are they disappointed to see only an extended shopping mall," one Facebook user remarked.</p><p>Unless you're looking to escape a snowstorm, this might not be the hidden wonder that you're expecting.</p><h3>Eating in the Old Port</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ETFdUxKMY/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ETFdUxKMY/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Montreal is notorious for having an excellent food scene. Unfortunately, most of its finest establishments are outside the city's central tourist hub.</p><p>"I used to live in the Old Port," one Facebook user said. "A lot of the restaurants are, how should I say this, not catering to return customers."</p><p>Others took the opportunity to vent about the current state of the area. "It has been converted into a shanty town of T-shirts and souvenir shot glass vendors... Used to be a classy neighbourhood," another Montrealer chimed in.</p><p>While the Old Port itself is worth a stroll, you may want to venture elsewhere for a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/you-havent-dined-montreal-unless-youve-tried-these-spots-once">genuinely authentic Montreal meal</a>.</p><h3>La Ronde</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9AHGllRPZZ/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9AHGllRPZZ/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Most Montrealers have been to La Ronde at least once. While some love it, plenty of folks were quick to call Quebec's largest amusement park a total tourist trap.</p><p>"There was a time when La Ronde was a great theme park. But no longer," one local noted.</p><p><span></span>If you're used to bigger theme parks like Canada's Wonderland or Six Flags, you might find some of La Ronde's attractions underwhelming to say the least.</p><h3>La Grande Roue</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_am4_pg8d-/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_am4_pg8d-/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>It's hard to miss this massive Ferris wheel in the Old Port, but opinions are divided on its value.</p><p>Many commenters agreed the view was nice but not worth the steep entry price. </p><p>Considering adult tickets go for upwards of $27 a ride, we see their point.</p><h3>Schwartz's Deli</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DESbyd8JiZ6/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DESbyd8JiZ6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>It may be hard to believe, but this <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/oldest-montreal-restaurants-still-open" target="_self">beloved Montreal institution</a> topped the list of Montreal's biggest tourist hotspots, according to our readers.</p><p>Many claimed the 98-year-old smoked meat shop's famous sandwich wasn't worth the hype or the long lines.</p><p>"Schwartz's Deli. Mediocre smoked meat at tourist prices," one straight-talking user commented.</p><p>Others hesitated to call it a tourist trap, torn between the steep price and the undeniable taste.</p><p>"I hate to say it, but Schwartz's Deli," another added.</p><p>While the deli is not cheap and can be a bit crowded, it's hard to call it a "trap" once you've taken a bite of their iconic sandwich. Nevertheless, the people have spoken!</p><p>What's more, it seems like some of these responses reflect wider trends when it comes to Montreal's overrated destinations.</p><p>Last year, Preply analyzed Tripadvisor reviews from over 130 tourist attractions across the country. <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-tourist-attractions-ranked-disappointing-canada" target="_self">Montreal's La Ronde was crowned Canada's second-worst attraction</a> (behind Marineland in Niagara Falls), with 51.86% " of reviewers describing it as "disappointing."</p><p>Two more Montreal spots ranked on the list: the Olympic Park (30.80% of people were disappointed) and the Biodome (21.86%). Zoom out to the top 20, and Montreal makes the list again (yikes), with Rue Sainte-Catherine placing 16th.</p><p><span></span>Meanwhile, some of our readers took the question a little too literally, either calling the entire city a tourist trap or pointing to people getting "trapped" in the city's infamous array of potholes.</p><p>"Probably the potholes, tourists get in one and just can’t get back out," one user commented</p><p>Looking for more local insights? In a video we filmed a few months back, Montrealers shared their thoughts on other popular spots often labelled as tourist traps, such as the Orange Julep, La Banquise, and the Montreal Science Centre.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
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</p><p>Taking all these responses into account, it's become clear that tourist traps are often just a matter of perspective.</p><p>What you may deem a rip-off, others might see as an unmissable experience — and hey, at least these hotspots help keep the crowds away from <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/hidden-gem-montreal" target="_blank">Montreal’s real hidden gems</a>.</p>
