Anyone in north east Essex who has experienced a bereavement, regardless of how or where their loved one died and no matter how long ago, is welcome to join the monthly session.

Alison Gray, Director of Care at St Helena, said:

“Our new Community Bereavement Café will bring together people with experiences of grief, offering a safe space for peer support that helps reduce feelings of isolation and to provide comfort.

“Following the death of a loved one, there can be a long wait before the funeral takes place, leaving people feeling alone or unsure where to turn. After the funeral, people around you may expect life to return to normal, yet you may continue to experience waves of grief. Throughout the year, certain dates, moments or unexpected triggers can also bring emotions to the surface.

“When you feel like that, where do you go? 

“This is where the Community Bereavement Café can make a real difference, offering a place to be heard by trained staff and volunteers, alongside others who are experiencing similar emotions and may relate to what you are going through. 

Kelly and Belinda, Senior Healthcare Workers at St Helena, who will be facilitating the first session