BEREAVEMENT
Bereavement often raises difficult feelings and hard questions. Whoever you are grieving, it’s likely you will be facing other losses too. It can feel very lonely – but you don’t have to grieve alone. Our Bereavement Team is available to support you and to journey with you. We want to help those who are living with loss to find hope for the future and the strength to rebuild their lives and the lives of their families.
If you are feeling particularly low, then it is important to share how you are feeling with others and we encourage you to speak to a friend, your family or your GP.
Support available from the Chase Bereavement Support Team:
a. “Side by Side” Bereavement Café.
A warm welcome awaits you at the “Side by Side” Bereavement Café which meets 11 am to 12:30 pm every Monday (including Bank Holidays) at The Railway Inn, 78 Wells Road, Malvern WR14 4PA. The Bereavement Café is open to all who have been bereaved no matter how recently, and irrespective of an individual’s beliefs. Our sessions are informal and offer mutual support and friendship with others who have been bereaved – enabling us to share our feelings and lessen the sense of isolation as we journey on together “side by side.” You can join a table with others or chat one to one with a volunteer if you prefer. You are welcome to just turn up – no need to book. Many come along on their own but please feel free to bring a friend or family member with you.
Meeting and talking with others who have been bereaved can be helpful and very healing. All who attend the Bereavement Café are at different stages of their grief journey and provide mutual support for one another.
Comments from Members of the Bereavement Café:
“It’s a great comfort to know that everyone… understands or has experienced grief in their lives. Although everyone’s journey is different, it is helpful to be able to share with others.”
“It’s a safe place to be yourself at this difficult time and realise that there is no need to pretend that everything is OK.”
“It was so comforting being able to mix with others who were experiencing the same emotions and were in the same position as myself.”
b. Individual Bereavement Support.
In addition to the Bereavement Café, where you can join a table with others or chat one to one with a volunteer, our Bereavement Support Team offers more individual support at a mutually agreed time and venue. Our team are trained, supervised and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. We offer a welcoming and listening ear to all – irrespective of an individual’s beliefs. Our service is free and confidential. We do not offer counselling but can tell you about local counselling services. If you would like to know more, please call the Chase Team Office and leave a message for the Bereavement Team on Tel: 01684 576582 or Email: administrators@chaseteam.org.
c. National Support Services and Information.
A lot of information about bereavement support is available on the internet including details of professional support workers and counsellors. Here are a few organisations offering support to the bereaved:
AtaLoss.org: UK wide bereavement signposting and information
Care for the Family – Bereavement support
Cruse Bereavement – Cruse Bereavement Support
NHS Bereavement – Get help with grief after bereavement or loss – NHS
Widowed and Young (WAY) for anyone aged 50 or under when their partner died
Winston’s Wish – Bereavement Support for Children
MIND – Losing someone to suicide
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4”
If you would like to know more, please call the Chase Team Office and leave a message for the Bereavement Team on Tel: 01684 576582 Email: administrators@chaseteam.org