The most helpful was “having someone to talk to who was the same age and had a similar family background. For example we both have grandchildren.” Connect Participant
We provide free bereavement support groups for people who have lost their loved ones to cancer (we are currently supporting Covid-19 loss too). The groups, which are run by our trained volunteers, create regular spaces for people to share stories and experiences with others who have experienced a similar kind of loss.
We run online grief support groups so that you can access the support you need from the comfort of your home.
If you join us for a bereavement support group you don’t have to talk, you may just want to hear from others and that’s fine by us. Whatever you need on the day!
Find out more about our support groups When is the next group?
We offer a 10-week program of bereavement therapy groups to help support people who have lost a loved one to cancer (we are currently supporting Covid-19 loss too). In the the grief support therapy groups our Clinical Psychologists will explore loss and all that it can entail alongside you, and will help you approach difficult thoughts and feelings as a way of guiding you towards coping with loss. The grief therapy groups also offer a way to build connections and friendships with others who have experienced something similar.
Find out more about our therapy groupsIf you’d like to connect with others outside of a formal support group, you are welcome to join us at one of our social get togethers.
Our social events, which range from coffee mornings through to park walks and museum trips, are inclusive for people experiencing all types of bereavement, not just those who have lost loved ones to cancer (we are currently supporting Covid-19 loss too).
We also run the grief support get togethers online – we know that’s not the same as meeting in person but it still allows us to meet with others who have experienced something similar as a way of coping with our bereavement and tackling the loneliness that can come with it.
Find out more about our social events When is the next social event?
We run bereavement weekend retreats throughout the year for anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer.
The grief retreats, set in the Kent countryside, offer a programme of supportive, optional activities including group chats, one-to-one time with psychologists, country walks and meditation. Our bereavement support retreats offer time and space, and our resident Chef provides delicious home-cooked meals.
Find out about our retreatsGiven that all of us will be bereaved at a point in time, workplaces undoubtedly need systems and support strategies in place to help their staff when they are grieving. Research has consistently shown that lack of support in the workplace when grieving can have many negative effects for individuals and companies.
We offer a package of expert guidance for companies so they can handle delicate situations with the highest standard of care and feel more confident in managing grief in the workplace. All of the content is developed by Clinical Psychologists who specialise in bereavement support and involves sharing psychological models of grief so that you can better understand your employees’ experiences and difficulties. We are here to help you, your staff and colleagues, and your business.
We know how hard it can be to know the ‘right’ thing to say when someone close to you is grieving. The fear of saying or doing something ‘wrong’ and upsetting them often causes many of us to avoid the subject, or even the grieving person altogether. Click to learn more about how you can support others in coping with bereavement.
Find out how to support othersWhen grieving, it’s easy to let negative thoughts spiral out of control, which can have harmful effects on your mind, body and life. It’s important to seek support from bereavement services, and we can compliment that by engaging in mindfulness exercises.
Meditation and mindfulness help us to become more aware of our thoughts and feelings and in a non-judgemental way. These techniques can also be very relaxing.
Access our audio guidesNeed help now, either for yourself or a loved one struggling with grief?
Find out moreWatch our beautiful and emotive video from some of the people who have accessed support from The Loss Foundation.
The Loss Foundation – The Need for Support from The Loss Foundation on Vimeo.