British Sign LanguageConnect with a British Sign Language interpreter Work for us Call us
British Sign LanguageConnect with a British Sign Language interpreter

Hospice: 01206 845 566

SinglePoint: 01206 890 360

Work for us

What we offer
How you can help us
Search
X
Refer
Donate
CQC

Contrast

Text Size

a a
X

What we offer

We help people in north east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement, supporting them, their families, friends and carers.

Find out more

How you can help us

A third of our funding comes from the NHS, the remaining two thirds is raised from the generosity and support of people like you.

Find out more
Search
X
Donate

Grief at Christmas

Bereavement Blog

"Try to manage grief around the Christmas period by putting yourself first; do what’s best for you to help you cope."

During National Grief Awareness Week, bereavement counsellor Kaye Riley, explains our bereavement service...

Christmas is a very difficult time when someone very close to you has died. Try to manage grief around the Christmas period by putting yourself first; do what’s best for you to help you cope, don’t worry about what others might do or think.

If you would like to forget Christmas altogether, that’s ok. If you want to celebrate it, that’s ok too, you can feel happy when you are bereaved. Give yourself time to grieve and be open and honest with your family and friends.

At St Helena, we take bereavement referrals for anybody. We have both a children’s service and a service for adults. We give bereavement support to people for a whole range of reasons including Covid deaths, accidents, suicide, baby loss, miscarriage, as well as life limiting illness.

The first time meeting a counsellor, people probably are quite nervous, they’re not sure what it's all about, how the process works. So sometimes it's about reassuring people that what they're feeling is quite normal and we have a little bit of a chat about the grief process because people just don't know what to expect.

Image: Kaye, bereavement counsellor

Initially people may feel very numb and in denial about what's happened and it takes a while for the shock to come off and then it may go into anger. There are several different processes but in grief we don't go from one to the other. It's not linear; it can go backwards and forwards. 

Mainly what you're trying to do over a very long period of time, is to come to some sort of acceptance and adjustment to the new life that you're having. It's a different life and it's about building your life around that grief. I don't think the grief ever really goes away, but you're building a new life around it. This may take years, it's a huge process for someone to go through.

I love seeing that movement when sometimes people come in very distressed and seeing some sort of shift in that. We don’t always see the end result because it depends on where they come to see us in their journey, but seeing a shift that they are going to be alright and they know they're going to be alright, even though the road ahead still might be quite rocky. 

For information about our bereavement services and to refer yourself for support, please visit our bereavement support pages.

 

Related news and stories

 

The gift of creation

Taking a look at the free Creation Station Creative Fun Session for people within our local community who are facing incurable illness, have a loved one who is facing end of life, or who have experienced bereavement.

View more

Holiday camps for when the kids aren't at school!

Looking to keep your kids inspired and engaged during half terms and school holidays then look no further than this holiday club!

View more

The importance of donating to St Helena charity shops

View more

Charities create online hub for bereavement support

Two local charities have collaborated to create an online platform dedicated to providing invaluable resources and support for people navigating bereavement, tailored specifically for those living in north east Essex.

View more

Advance Care Planning - Dr Karen Chumbley

Dr Karen Chumbley explains advance care planning ahead of Advance Care Plan Day on 8th May 2024.

View more

Approaching conversations about dying, death and bereavement

We are encouraging people to have conversations about death and dying. These subjects are often not spoken about until we’re suddenly faced with them, and it can feel uncomfortable, or even scary, to talk about them. This blog will help you in broaching these conversations.

View more

Superhero Run 2023 - top tips to help you prepare for your fun run

If you’re not a seasoned runner there is certainly no need to worry! Anybody of any age or fitness level is welcome and encouraged to take part in our Superhero Run. It’s a great family activity and also a motivational way to set a new fitness goal or challenge for yourself! We have come up with a list of things which might be helpful to consider when preparing for your fun run.

View more

Myth busting hospice care

St Helena Hospice is marking national Hospice Care Week (10th – 14th October) by dispelling common myths about hospices.

View more

Make a difference

People like you help us every day through regular donations

Read stories Donate
 

Need some help finding something?

Visit our help centre

Go to the help centre
 
Go to basket

Go to basket

0
X

Processing fees

When you make a donation to St Helena Hospice, we are charged transactional fees by other companies, including fees for processing payments made to us, looking up addresses and validating bank account details.

We are very grateful to our donors who offer to offset some of these fees with a minor addition to their total amount. This is however completely optional and we are very grateful for your support whether or not you choose to contribute to processing fees.

Close
X

About Gift Aid

We are able to claim an extra 25p on every £1 on your donation amount for no extra cost to you, as long as you are a UK tax payer; have paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in that tax year; and are donating your own money. If you pay less income tax and/or capital gains tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all of your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference. For more information about Gift Aid, please visit https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid
 

Close
X

How many years would you like to display your leaf for?

Reminder: At the end of the display period, you will be given the option to renew your dedicated leaf or have it returned for you to keep.

Cancel Continue