A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white blouse and a silver necklace, smiling at the camera.

Hi, I’m Trish Carpenter

A professional development facilitator passionate about equipping leaders with the skills to compassionately support staff through grief and trauma.

Who I've worked with and featured in or on...

  • Logo with drawing of teddy bear waving and text 'bear cottage' on a pink background.
  • Logo of The Compassionate Friends Queensland featuring a figure held by two hands inside a blue circle.
  • Logo of Compassionate Communities Australia with stylized birds in a circular pattern.
  • Logo for "Dying to Know Day" dated 8 August.
  • Silhouette of a large white hand with a smaller white hand inside, set against a black circular background.
  • Purple and green hummingbird illustration
  • Logo of Ladybird Care Foundation, featuring a red and black ladybird-themed umbrella and the text "Hope and help for grieving families."
  • Colorful abstract bottle shapes with text "International Welcome Center"
  • Logo with an orange heart and the text "Palliative Care Australia" and "Matters of life and death."
  • Proveda logo with colorful abstract flower design
  • Redkite logo with a red kite symbol and the text 'For families facing childhood cancer'.
Trish Carpenter
Smiling child wearing a red hoodie with a medical tube on their face, sitting in a wheelchair.
Cover of 'Big Hand, Little Hand' by Trish Carpenter, featuring a close-up of an adult's hand holding a child's hand against a starry night background. The text reads "A Mum's Story of Love, Hope and Loss."

Hi! I’m Trish

I’m a professional development facilitator who specialises in building capacity in leaders to support their staff going through grief and trauma.

I have been volunteering as a peer mentor over the last couple of years, walking alongside newly bereaved parents. It has become clear to me that there is a lot more that can be done in our communities, schools and workplaces to support people who have been devastated by grief and trauma. I have worked closely with the support industry to develop professional development workshops: Compassionate Leadership to build capacity in leaders in their efforts to support staff as they struggle with and heal in their grief and trauma.

I am passionate about education, awareness and support and am keen to make a difference in the area of staff well-being. If this sounds like it might be of use to your workplace or school setting, get in contact for a chat about booking in for the new workshops on offer.

I’m also bereaved mum and the author of
Big Hand, Little Hand. When I lost my seven-year-old son in 2019 to brain cancer, I needed to find a way through. To face my grief head on and to remember and share the inspiration of my son, Thomas. The book and the blog articles you will find on this website are not written as an academic expert or to suggest a way to ‘fix’ grief. I write to share my personal experiences, my perspective and my challenges. If my musings connect with people or bring comfort and validation then that is good thing. And there needs to be more good things in an unfair world.

 

More Heroes to Meet in May for Brain Cancer Awareness Month…

Click on one of those beautiful faces to read or listen to the full story

Featured
Bishop - It's a beautiful day!
Bishop - It's a beautiful day!

Bishop loved to play all hours, day or night. He loved to good and was always in the kitchen taking out ingredients. Everything we cooked together had to have 3 eggs no matter what. Bishop loved to talk, telling stories, and making up adventures with his big brother Julian.

Kalina - the Glorious Adventurer
Kalina - the Glorious Adventurer

Kalina was so unique in the best ways. She always seemed so much older than she really was. She was such a loving, thoughtful, ultra creative, meticulous, VERY independent, strong girl. Always creating something for someone!

Eva - Braver, Stronger, Smarter
Eva - Braver, Stronger, Smarter

Eva’s from Regional Victoria, near Mildura. A very loving child, very caring towards everyone in her family especially her big brother, Quinn. In her eyes he could do no wrong.

Arden - the Very Best at Hugs!
Arden - the Very Best at Hugs!

Arden was 2.5 years old. She had the most beautiful big blue eyes and the funniest little side smirk. She was so incredibly intelligent, wise beyond her years. She never had time for antics, she wanted everyone to get straight to the point, as quickly as possible.

Thomas B - Our Cheeky Superhero
Thomas B - Our Cheeky Superhero

Thomas was always a bundle of energy, so quick to crawl, to climb to run and swim. He had beautiful eyes that would change colour with the weather but mostly his eyes were grey. He had long skinny feet and a glorious giggle. Tom loved the water, wrestling with his brother and animals in any form.

MEDIA

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Children holding hands icon with text 'Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service' on a green background.
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Also interviewed on
Ticker TV and ABC Brisbane Radio