Welcome
and why you matter to me

Hello, I’m Jackie Smith, the heart behind Robin and Feather.

This isn’t just a business. It’s a personal offering I am creating from lived experience, deep empathy, and a genuine desire to support others through grief with sincerity and compassion.

The idea for Robin and Feather was born from a deeply personal place.

After several years of caring for my mum full-time, I found myself at a crossroads following her recent passing.

Going back to work was going to be on the table in due course but I wasn't sure which way I was going to set my sail.

I knew I wanted to create a role that felt meaningful and true to who I am, rather than trying to squeeze into a job that didn’t quite fit.

So I looked back to what I have enjoyed work wise over the years to see what stood out and my thoughts went back to my favourite job.

A few years ago, I worked in bereavement services for a large bank, a role that, while emotionally demanding, felt incredibly valuable and fulfilling.

What drove me away wasn't the nature of the work, it was the impersonal environment of a call centre and to be frank, the stress of relentless call handling but I always missed dealing in a specialist way with people who needed some genuine caring and help.

I’ve always been someone who leads with empathy, sensitivity, and care, qualities that feel essential, not optional, when it comes to supporting others through grief.

So with that came clarity.

I knew I wanted to offer something meaningful to people, helping their friends and family or even work colleagues who might be navigating loss not with clichés or commercial fluff, but with some real care.

That said, stepping into a role in say the funeral business, or counselling just wasn't for me, so I thought why not create a destination online for thoughtful words & gift ideas!

Creating this site felt like the natural next step: a way to do this work on my own terms, with the warmth and thoughtfulness it deserves and use my gifts and talents in a way I that felt good.

This website is in its early stages, and at the moment, you’ll find just one journal available.

However, there is much more to come.

• I'm currently developing a second journal, a simple poetry book, and a line of hand poured candles, each created with care and intention.
• In time, I also hope to highlight thoughtful, heartfelt products from other makers who share the same values.

I would love you to take part as well, you can ask a question right here in this q & a forum, again it's all very new but over time I aim to build a library of answers and you are welcome to chime in at any time, with your question OR answer, the more the merrier.

Why I started robin & feather

So many people don't know what to day or do when someone is grieving.

They want to help,  but are afraid of saying the wrong thing or doing too little, so I thought I could help facilitate things a bit.

This is a space for gentle, thoughtful support and guidance

• Meaningful sympathy & bereavement gifts
• Sincere words for bereavement cards
• Articles that help make sense of grief
• Resources for people who don’t want platitudes — just something real

I’ve been on both sides — the one supporting others, and the one grieving deeply. What I offer now comes from both of those places. 

Robin and Feather is a small act of service in this very big world.

Who this is for

Robin and Feather is for:

• Those who want to send something thoughtful when words aren’t enough
• People moving through grief, anniversaries, or quiet sadness
• Anyone who wants real, comforting, non-twee support
• The kind souls who don’t want to get it wrong but want to get it right

This space is for people who feel deeply.

For those who’ve known love and now feel it's loss profoundly.

If that’s you, or someone you know, you are not alone!

Why I think I can help

I’ve always been the kind of person who “gets it” — even when nothing is said out loud.

According to personality tests, astrology, and pretty much anyone who’s worked with me, I’m a deeply sensitive soul. I’m high in empathy, deeply caring, and especially good at being there to offer a hug and say  the right words when someone needs it.

That’s not just a trait, I have realised it’s a bit of a gift and not everyone has it.

I learned the importance of taking the time for others who are having a difficult time,  not rushing grief, not minimising it, but supporting it with diplomacy, tact, and heart and a bit of a hug along the way.

Then came my own family losses over the years and there have been many and eventually, the loss of my mum.

That heartbreak changed everything.

It reminded me that grief is personal, messy, and often invisible to the outside world. It’s not about “moving on.” 

It’s about finding small but simple ways to honour the person and keep yourself moving forward.

It's about me stepping into my role of being a sign-poster for others who might be stuck on the road without a map.

My promise to you

Every product in that will be in my shop,  every card, candle, feather, or idea will be here for a reason.

I will ask myself before adding anything:

• Would I give this to someone I love?
• Would this bring comfort in a real moment of grief?
• Is this honest, heartfelt, and useful?

If the answer isn’t “yes” to all three, it won't make it into any page.

The meaning behind robin & feather

My business name isn’t random.

Many believe that a robin appearing or a feather falling unexpectedly is a sign from someone they’ve lost — a quiet “hello,” a message of presence, a whisper from beyond.

Whether you believe in signs or simply in the power of symbol, Robin and Feather is rooted in that sense of ongoing love and connection and a way to show you care.

Keeping up to date with what is going

You have a couple of options:

A thoughtful newsletter for life’s hardest moments.

Whether you’re supporting a grieving friend or navigating loss yourself, The Robin Edit offers gentle advice, curated sympathy gifts, and comforting words, to help you make meaningful choices when it matters most.

and,

The latest pages are posted up here, add me to your RSS Feed and never miss a thing.

Final thoughts

Grief is never simple.

It isn’t something you can fix with kind words or soothe with a single gesture. It lingers in anniversaries, in everyday moments, in memories that arrive without warning.

Robin and Feather is here to help you support someone through that grief, with some compassion, gentleness, and care.

Thank you for showing up for them, for being the one who stands quietly in support of them.

Your presence matters more than you know.

With heartfelt appreciation

Jackie Smith x