Connect

What is Connect? ​
The concept of Connect is similar to a Buddy System.  The aim of Connect is to match together two individuals with a similar loss to talk and share their experiences of loss and what this means for them, to form a mutually supportive, meaningful connection and friendship.  We will introduce you to your match, provide guidance on how to get started and check in with you to see how you are doing, but the conversations and meetings you have with your Connect match are up to you.  Participation is free and voluntary.​

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How are Connect peers matched? ​
We do our best to match based on similarity of the type of loss and participant background as much as possible. We also try to take into consideration any match preferences you would like to tell us about. Matching depends on who has registered and what information they have voluntarily given us, so unfortunately it is not always possible to match closely on all criteria. ​

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How will Connect benefit me? ​
When you have lost a loved one, it can be difficult to feel connected with others you feel don’t understand what you are going through.  Talking with someone who has experienced a similar loss can help you both feel freer to share and talk openly about your loss and what this means for you. Sharing and learning about others’ experiences on a supportive 1-2-1 basis which gives you the opportunity to form a more meaningful connection over time, which we hope can help you understand that what you are going through is natural, and to feel less isolated in your loss.

Who can take part in Connect? ​
You can take part if you have lost a loved one to cancer or Covid-19, are aged over 18 years, resident in the UK, and are able to give us some information about yourself to be used in matching.  We warmly welcome participants from all backgrounds and at any time since their loss who feel ready to have mutually supportive 1-2-1 conversations with another in a similar situation.

Is Connect right for me?
At the Loss Foundation, we offer a variety of support services.  Each offers a different type and level of support in mind.  Depending on your own situation, how you are feeling and how you are currently coping with your loss, a specific service will be more appropriate than others at a point in time.  Have a look at our services guide below to find out which support service is best for you.  We will also ask in the Connect registration survey about the type of support you are looking and are ready for.  If a different type of support service may be more appropriate for you, we will guide you towards this instead.