Hey guys, I have a bit of news to share. Before I get into it though, I want to make sure you're in a comfortable place (physically and mentally) to hear it. Here's a
trigger warning for death / grief and if you're not feeling ready to open that box right now, come back to this thread at a better time.
Zaki joined the group chat mod team in the middle of last year. Some of you will have met him and some of you won't have, depending on when you usually go to group chat. He was mostly in GC.
After becoming unwell near the end of November, Zaki passed away shortly before Christmas.
I know you will have all had a different relationship with Zaki and this news will land differently for each of you. I'm also conscious that we've just had Christmas and the New Year, and grief can become more present for people around now, and this stuff can be a bit emotionally jumbled.
The staff team wanted to create this space so we would have a place to talk about it together and process the news as a group. So whatever you're feeling, feel free to share it here or privately with the staff team. Equally, no pressure to comment or say anything at all if you don't want to.
Personally, I felt a bit speechless when I heard this (still do), so please know there's no right or wrong thing to say or way to respond. Do whatever feels right for you. ๐
You can also get in touch with
Cruse Beraevement Care, or chat to The Mix's
1-2-1 services if you'd like to talk to someone outside of the community about it.
I do want to pass on something warming from Zaki's mum about him being a chat mod:
Zaki really enjoyed his time volunteering with the team and learnt so much, for that we are grateful. All Zaki ever wanted to do is help people and so we think it would bring great comfort to us that he made a difference.
