Bereavement café supports more people grieving a loss
A bereavement café at Great Oaks Hospice in the Forest of Dean is able to support more people who have lost a loved one, after receiving £7,500 from Gloucestershire County Council’s Thriving Communities Grant.
Great Oaks Hospice in Coleford offers bereavement support services in the Forest of Dean. With the funding received from the council, it has recruited two new counsellors to provide support for residents following a bereavement, adults living with a life limiting illness, their families and friends. As a result, the waiting list for counselling has almost halved and is now at its lowest level since 2021.
A new hub in Cinderford makes it easier for people to access support close to where they live, and there is also a wellbeing drop-in in Lydney as well as a new cancer support group on Fridays. Support is available to all residents in the Forest of Dean, whether their loved one is cared for at Great Oaks Hospice or elsewhere.
Great Oaks provide support face to face or online, with individuals receiving up to 10 sessions of counselling. Peer support groups allow members to meet up to chat or do activities together. Whilst its service is limited to the Forest of Dean, Great Oaks can also signpost to other groups or services where appropriate, such as Listening Post, Carers Network, Dementia Action Alliance, Good Grief Group and Wye Dean Wellbeing.
The hospice now has over 150 volunteers who cover aspects of every service provided including counselling, therapy or providing refreshments. They hold fundraising events all year round and work closely with health and voluntary sector partners including District Nurses, Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF), Gloucestershire Voluntary Community & Social Enterprise Alliance (GlosVCSAlliance), the Death Café and Longfield Hospice.
Those who have been supported by Great Oaks are passionate about the difference the support has made to them. *Nick*, who cared for two partners before they passed away, has been coming to Great Oaks for two years and encourages friends going through something similar to get in touch.
*Julie’s* husband died suddenly and when she became unwell herself she was recommended to Great Oaks. She didn’t think she was able to because her husband had not been a patient, but says the support she received has ‘saved her life’ and she ‘would not be here without it’.
For more details please visit www.great-oaks.org.uk