Bereaved father Paul Woodward, behind ‘The Little Things’ documentary that brought Derian House Children’s Hospice to screens globally on Amazon Prime, has released a short film giving a voice to the hospice’s grieving fathers.

In the 18-minute documentary, ‘Voice Again’, released today (20 February), the camera turns to dads who have lost a child, revealing the bonds they create at the hospice. The focus is the dad’s bereavement support group – a safe space where they can talk openly about grief over a cup of tea or a takeaway.

Described as “powerful and emotional” by Screen Critix, the film, captured entirely on an iPhone 17 Pro, is inspired by Paul’s own experience at Derian House, the children’s hospice based in Chorley, where his son, Kalel, received care until his passing in 2019, aged 11.

“From day one, the dads opened their hearts to me and to this film,” said Paul, of Skelmersdale.

“That trust makes all the difference when you place a camera in the room. It quickly became a space of comfort, honesty and friendship, and I feel incredibly proud to have been welcomed into it.

“In the film, you hear truly heart-breaking stories – moments no parent should ever have to live through. The conversations are raw and deeply moving. But alongside the grief, there is hope, and there is laughter. That’s because of the care Derian House continues to give these families, and the friendships the dads have built with one another. The hospice doesn’t just support you through your child’s life – it supports you afterwards too. And that ongoing care and connection is something incredibly powerful to witness.”

The fathers featured in the documentary got the first watch with a special premiere at Derian House’s very own in-house cinema last week (18 February).

‘Voice Again’ is the first in what is hoped to be a series of documentary shorts at the hospice, building on the success of ‘The Little Things’, and shining a light on stories that didn’t make it into the film.

“After filming The Little Things, I always felt there was more to explore at Derian House,” said Paul, who worked alongside Benidorm’s Steve Pemberton in the production of the first documentary on the hospice.

Paul was recently named a Patron of Derian House in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Derian House, which supports more than 400 babies, children, and young people with life-limiting conditions, along with their families, across the North West.

“I wanted to return and look more closely at the deeper support it provides, and it made complete sense to begin with the bereaved dads group, as that is something deeply personal to me as another Derian Dad.

“My hope is that Voice Again encourages men across the UK to come together and recognise that safe spaces do exist if we choose to reach out. If this group of men can support one another and make a positive difference in each other’s lives, then others can too.”

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive at Derian House, said: “Paul is a fantastic Patron of Derian House and has already done so much to raise awareness of the work we do. The Little Things brought Derian House to screens around the world, but there are still many stories to be told, and we’re grateful that Paul wants to continue creating films about us.

“Supporting bereaved parents is a vital part of the care we provide, and this short documentary will showcase the courage, resilience, and even the humour that Derian House dads find in one another. It sends a powerful message to the world that hospices continue to be here for families long after the loss of a child.”

‘The Little Things’, directed by award-winning Thomas Elliott Griffiths, told the story of Derian House on families, staff, and volunteers. The film received international attention and continues to bring awareness to the importance of children’s hospices worldwide.