What bereavement support is available?
For some people, one of the most difficult things following a bereavement, is the feeling of loneliness it can cause. According to the Office for National Statistics*, around one quarter (27%) of adults reported feeling lonely always, often or some of the time.
Grief affects everyone differently. Our help doesn't stop after the funeral, we will support you in your bereavement so you don’t have to go through this alone.
Once the funeral has taken place, and everyone else is 'getting back to normal', you may feel lost. The loneliness you can experience following a bereavement can be difficult, even if you have people around you. For the days, weeks, months after will bring up new emotions, as special occasions or anniversaries pass. The feeling of grief, can at times, be overwhelming, and it is good to seek further help and support where you can.
Some of the most isolated people in our community are those who are the most difficult to reach and encourage to participate in existing community activities, with the elderly most likely to be digitally excluded. Here are some of the community groups we are aware of in the local area along with what we do to help our clients.
What bereavement support is available in Conwy?
- Tom Owen and Son have partnered with North Wales Reflections, a counsellor based in Colwyn Bay to offer all families one complimentary bereavement counselling session should they need it. You can read more on this here.
- We host a monthly bereavement coffee morning. This is held on the third Thursday of the month, between 10am and 12pm at Providero on Upper Mostyn Street in Llandudno. It's a great way to meet other people in a similar situation, in an informal environment.
- Wyn's Way is a bereavement support group based in Llandudno. They are a long standing bereavement support group and meet for coffee, between 11am and noon every Tuesday at the Cae Mor Hotel and every Thursday at North Wales Golf Club. In addition, the group organise monthly Sunday lunches, breakfast and supper clubs, fortnightly Friday walks and day trips by coach.
- Mates Support Group meet monthly on a Tuesday evening at 8pm. They meet at Ls Coffee Shop in Conwy. They are set up to help men in North Wales who are struggling with depression and loneliness. You can see updates on their facebook page.
What bereavement support is available for all?
- The Good Grief Trust: A charity run by bereaved people for bereaved people. They sign post you to appropriate further services depending on who you have lost.
- Conwy Mind: A local independent charity, established in 1985, who have been supporting better mental health and wellbeing across the Conwy county. They attend our coffee mornings to work with the community and deliver inclusive services that are accessible to anyone that needs them.
What bereavement support is available for young people?
- Winston's Wish: provide specialist support and advice for bereaved children and their families via a helpline and online chat.
- Child Bereavement UK: providing support to children, young people, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or a child dies.
- Young Minds: are a mental health charity supporting young people. They are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.
Is there bereavement support for baby loss, miscarriage and still birth?
- Sands: is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it. They provide bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups.
- Our Sam: works to raise awareness, understanding and improve support, and access to support for anyone affected by baby loss following miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons and neonatal death in North Wales.
- Tommy's: are dedicated to finding causes and treatments to save babies’ lives as well as providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support.
What bereavement support can I access for palliative care/hospice care?
- St David's Hospice: provide localised bereavement support for the families and friends of those that they have cared for.
Is there bereavement support for suicide?
- Survivors of Bereavement by suicide: are the only organisation offering peer-to-peer support to all those over the age of 18, impacted by suicide loss in the UK. They help those bereaved by suicide to support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. They offer peer led support groups, online virtual support groups, a national telephone helpline, online community forum and email support.
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