A new initiative to help support people in the Highlands through bereavement is offering a ‘Living with Grief’ group, beginning in November.
Grief Matters Highland was formed after a gap in support was recognised, and is a partnership between Highland Hospice, Crocus Group child and young person bereavement service, Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland and the NHS Highland Chaplaincy services.
Facilitated by Una Smale and Ann Craig Highland Hospice Counselling and Bereavement Services, the series of eight ‘Living With Grief’ meetings aim to create the opportunity for people to share the experiences of grief with others and to consider ways of coping.
Highland Hospice’s Counselling and Bereavement Services Team Lead Una Smale explains, “Sometimes, following bereavement, it can be helpful to meet with others who may have had similar experiences. These meetings are designed to create a mutually supportive atmosphere in which to explore together what really matters in bereavement.”
She adds, “Because of the very personal and unique nature of grief there can be no definitive “one size fits all” answers. There will be ample opportunity for participants to raise questions and explore issues of particular importance to them in their own situation, including what has happened to them, where they are now, the experience of grief and bereavement, what might help, how they are coping, dealing with difficult times and situations and looking after themselves.
With a limit of ten places, everyone who signs up to the group is asked to attend at least 6 of the 8 sessions in order to achieve maximum benefit. The group is open to anyone who has been bereaved, but is likely to be of greater benefit to people some months after bereavement, rather than in the very early days of grief.
For further information about this group please contact Diane Grant, Clinical Secretary, 01463 227919
