Individuals who have lost a loved one will soon be able to get extra support as a new bereavement group is being launched in Portsmouth.
The free monthly Bereavement Wellbeing Group will offer individuals the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation, in an informal and friendly setting.
Being organised by Southern Co-op’s Bereavement Centre the new group will be launched on 21 February and will run on the third Thursday of every month in the Portsea area.
The Bereavement Centre, which offers free support to everyone in the community, already offers a range of services in the city including structured support groups, groups for people who are newly bereaved, friendship groups, walk and talk groups and one to one counselling.
It also offers support over Skype, Face Time, telephone or email.
Ingrid McAllister-Derry, Bereavement Centre Manager and Counsellor, said: “The new group has been created to be inclusive and available to everyone – regardless of whether you are a customer of Southern Co-op.
“Bereavement can be a very lonely journey, even if you have people all around you. The group is deliberately informal. It brings people together who are in a similar situation and who understand what you may also be going through.
“It is intended to be relaxed and comfortable but with the opportunity to talk to a counsellor over coffee and cake or arrange a separate counselling appointment if this would help.”
Current bereavement supports groups are held in Frome, Warmister, Fareham, Farnborough, Bognor Regis, Lake, Telscombe and Hassocks.
There will also be new groups starting soon in Waterlooville and Basingstoke.
People who would like to attend the group need to initially contact The Bereavement Centre via 08081 691922 or by emailing info@thebereavementcentre.co.uk.
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