Teenager Zoe Blair is set to take the spotlight at The Archie Foundation’s Variety Show for a performance dedicated to her cousin.
Zoe will perform the classic hit Mamma Mia! at the event, being held at Aberdeen’s iconic Tivoli Theatre, as a tribute to her cousin Emma, who passed away suddenly at the age of 14.
Having struggled to process her grief at a young age, Zoe found support through Archie’s Child Bereavement Service (ACBS), which helped her navigate her emotions and feel less alone.
Zoe will join other children on stage on Saturday, April 19, using her passion for singing to give back to a charity that supported her through one of the most difficult times in her life.
All the performers, from dancers and singers to magicians, have been supported by The Archie Foundation or NHS Grampian.
Zoe and Emma.
After losing her cousin six years ago, Zoe did not fully understand what had happened to her. It wasn’t until she was a little older that she started asking questions and becoming more aware of what had happened to Emma.
Zoe struggled to process her grief and her mum Monique grew increasingly concerned about her wellbeing. It was thanks to a recommendation from Zoe’s primary school deputy headteacher that they found support through ACBS.
“Some of the things I was saying made my teachers worried,” Zoe explained. “I felt really alone, like no one else knew what I was going through.”
ACBS stepped in, providing Zoe with emotional support through bereavement responder, Liz Norris. “She came every second Thursday to do activities with me,” Zoe recalled. “I made a memory box, which really helped me process things.”
While the formal support lasted a few months, Zoe, who lives in Elrick, has continued to attend bereavement events over the years, finding comfort in a community that understands her loss.
“As children reach a developmental stage between the ages of eight and nine, they may experience a ‘second bereavement’, which is something Zoe went through, where she was more aware of what grief was,” said Malcolm Stewart, bereavement service manager at Archie’s Child Bereavement Service.
Zoe.
“The support Zoe received from Liz helped her process her grief in a way that made sense to her. Having a safe space to talk openly, create a memory box, and attend bereavement events meant she could express her emotions freely and feel less alone. We know that grief isn’t a one-time event - it’s a journey, and we’re here to support children like Zoe.”
Zoe’s mum Monique said the family was very grateful to ACBS.
“We are forever grateful for the support our family received from Archie’s Child Bereavement Services. The support Liz provided to Zoe was invaluable in helping her process her grief and cherish the memory of her cousin.
“Zoe has had a passion for the arts from a young age, just like Emma, and I can’t wait to see her take the stage in memory of Emma as she performs Mamma Mia!”
Call the Midwife star Laura Main and panto legend Alan McHugh have signed up to host the show, which includes a matinee performance.
Tickets for The Archie Foundation’s Variety Show are on sale now viaThe Archie Foundation Variety Show 2025 | Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.