Bereavement resources

Community Bereavement Support Groups

Our Open Support Group and Bereavement Help Points (BHPs) are informal drop-in groups for anyone who is facing bereavement to connect with other people who have experienced a loss. Experience tells us that this can reduce feelings of loneliness, help you feel understood and present opportunities for learning and sharing ways of coping.

The meetings are facilitated by trained volunteers who will offer a safe space, support you, share potentially helpful resources and offer signposting. Some people find the meetings a helpful space to talk about their loss(es) and the challenges faced, while others may prefer to listen to the experience of those around them (this can be just as helpful).

There is no need to register your attendance before your first group session.

To find your nearest BHP, please click here

Immediate emotional support

During bereavement, people can sometimes feel their grief acutely at a particular moment or they may find that they have a particularly difficult day or week. At these times, it can be helpful to have access to a trained bereavement counsellor who can provide immediate emotional support.

GriefChat

This is a free web chat service with trained bereavement counsellors, available Monday-Friday 9am-9pm. The service provides a safe space for you to talk about how you are feeling and offer emotional support. Access the service by sending a message on the pop up screen.

Books

There are a number of books that you may wish to read which can help you to understand your grief and begin the process of coming to terms with your loss. The following books are recommended:

• The Madness of Grief - The Reverend Richard Coles
• A Grief Observed – C.S. Lewis
• Welcome to the Grief Club – Janine Kwoh
• Notes on Grief – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Loss – Donna Ashworth (Poems)
• The Plain Guide to Grief - Dr John Wilson
• The Grieving Brain - Mary Frances-O’Connor

Leaflets & Information

Coping with Anniversaries, Special Days and Christmas

Memory Maker Creative Workshops

First and third Tuesday of the month from 10am to 12.30pm at the Farleigh building in North Court Road.

Whether you are an expert or a beginner, our volunteers will guide you through the skills needed to complete your memory making workshop. Sewing, crochet, cross stitch, knitting and water colour paintings are all possibilities. Alternatively, bring your own craft projects and enjoy the company of like-minded people within our supportive environment.

For more information email memorymakers@farleighhospice.org

National organisations

There are several national organisations who have very useful resources to help you understand your grief. They can also offer alternative sources of support:

• CRUSE bereavement care helpline on 0808 808 1677 (hours vary) and website
• Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Support provides information and resources, qualified counsellors or a community of others with similar experiences. These services are free and easy to access via computer, smartphone or tablet.
• Marie Curie Support Line (for bereavement by illness) – 0800 090 2309 (8am-6pm, Mon-Fri & 1am-5pm, Sat) and Marie Curie website - a pool of resources to help you cope emotionally as well as handle the practical side of losing someone close
• Grief Works app (available on Apple and Android)
• At a Loss – website helping bereaved people find support and well-being
• Good Grief Trust  have resources and support you can access

Private counselling options

Our service is free of charge, but if you feel you need to receive support sooner and are in a position to pay privately for counselling/therapy, you may wish to look at the following websites:

• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• National Counselling Society
• Counselling Directory

Crisis management

Please be aware that we are not an emergency or crisis service. If you need help in a mental health crisis the following support is available:

• NHS mental health crisis support - Dial 111 and select option 2 for mental health crisis
• Samaritans: 24 hour helpline – 116 123 
• Shout: a free 24/7 text service, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text “SHOUT” to 85258
• Sane: out of hours helpline Tel: 0300 304 7000 from 4pm - 10pm every day
• Contact your GP
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – 0800 58 58 58 Helpline 5pm –Midnight