Say hello to our new Growth Director!
We are delighted to welcome Dan Eaton as our new Growth Director here at Sibling Support.
With over 17 years of experience in the charity sector, Dan has dedicated his career to supporting adults and young people with learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and, more recently, unpaid carers.
His extensive background has given him a deep understanding of what truly matters to people and how to ensure they remain at the heart of the services they receive.
Experience in the Charity Sector
Most of the organisations Dan has worked for have focused on rehabilitation or social enterprises that provide training and skills development. His work has always been about recognising each person for who they are and helping them grow in a way that’s right for them. His passion lies in seeing charities thrive, develop, and ultimately deliver the best possible service to those they support. With experience in service delivery, operational management, and service growth, he has a strong grasp of what’s needed at each stage of a charity’s journey- whether that’s identifying opportunities for expansion, collaborating with partners, or ensuring that lived experiences shape service models.
“My absolute passion is to see a charity thrive, grow and develop - ultimately to be able to give the best service possible to those that it supports.”
One of Dan’s key interests is in using data and feedback to shape and improve services. He believes that success is built on feedback, and learnings are used to influence change and create flexibility.
Since joining Sibling Support, Dan shared, "I've spent time reading the stories of children and young people who have dealt with the death of a brother or sister and finding out how we've helped them recognise and talk about their emotions. I'm in awe of how the team at Sibling Support has achieved so much in only a few years, and reading these stories completely shows how important it is to really understand what helps siblings to be heard and understood."
Expanding Sibling Support’s Reach
Dan is particularly passionate about growing the charity’s work with schools and professionals, ensuring that sibling bereavement is acknowledged and addressed more widely. As he puts it, "The more stories that I’m reading, the more evidence there is that sibling bereavement is rarely talked about- proving the need for change." His experience in developing services, combined with his personal experience of sibling bereavement, makes him uniquely placed to assist Sibling Support’s mission.
Dan was drawn to Sibling Support because, in his words- “ I love what Sibling Support is; a charity that comes from a heart and real story and has been built using the experiences of those that it supports.” He is motivated by the idea of reaching siblings who may be struggling with their loss, unsure of how to process their emotions, or hesitant to seek support. He is excited to be part of a team that is making such a tangible difference.
Why Sibling Support?
Dan’s understanding of sibling bereavement is personal. His brother, Ryan, was 21 years old, a passionate chef working at a restaurant in Cambridgeshire, and an active, sociable person who loved football, squash, and spending time with family, girlfriend and friends.
In the summer of 2018, Ryan started experiencing extreme exhaustion. Initially, it was attributed to his demanding lifestyle, but after developing additional symptoms that included facial dropping and a severe headache, he was advised to go to A&E. Tests revealed that he had multiple tumours caused by a rare form of sarcoma, a diagnosis that left doctors uncertain about his prognosis but determined to do everything they could to help.
Determined to push through an initial 6 month prognosis, over the next 18 months, Ryan underwent chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and various treatments sourced from both the UK and the US. Despite the challenges, he remained determined to continue working and living life to the fullest.
In March 2020, during a family party, Ryan mentioned having a headache- something not unusual given his treatment side effects. However, later that night, his condition worsened, and he was taken to A&E where doctors discovered a blood clot in his brain. The blood clot, mixed with other symptoms, meant that Ryan spent the following 24 hours in a comatose state before his body couldn’t fight any longer. Ryan passed away the following morning. He was surrounded by family and friends, who never left his side.
Dan’s personal experience of sibling bereavement drives his commitment to Sibling Support’s mission. He understands firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate grief and is passionate about ensuring that bereaved siblings receive the understanding and support they deserve.
“What I'm really looking forward to is watching how we continue to support more and more bereaved siblings across the country and growing the ways in which we do it.”
We are incredibly grateful to have Dan on board and excited about the future of Sibling Support under his leadership.