Some groups are available to anyone living in east Kent who needs bereavement support, even if their loved one was not a patient of the hospice.

 

How people die remains in the memories of those who live on.

Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement

Stepping Stones Bereavement Café

Many people find it helpful to share their experiences of grief with other people in similar situations and this informal support group provides the opportunity to meet and talk with other bereaved people in an relaxed and supportive way over a coffee and a biscuit.

Facilitated by Pilgrims trained Bereavement Support Volunteers, Stepping Stones Bereavement Café meets regularly at each of our hospice sites at Ashford, Canterbury and Margate.

For more information, please call 01233 504 127 or email steppingstones@pilgrimshospices.org.

Who is it for?

Any adult living in east Kent who has experienced a bereavement – there is no requirement to have previously been supported by Pilgrims.

Bereavement Walk & Talk Group

The benefits of being in nature, gentle exercise and social interaction are well known, and this informal bereavement support group provides the opportunity to combine all three. Our trained Volunteers will guide you along a gentle paced walking route, set in a beautiful tranquil location, promoting wellbeing and encouraging you to meet new people, share experiences and support each other in grief.

Meeting regularly at various public walking routes in the Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet areas – each walk lasts approximately 45 minutes and there is parking available at the meeting point with somewhere to buy refreshments along the route.

For more information, please call 01233 504 127 or email steppingstones@pilgrimshospices.org.

Who is it for?

Any adult living in east Kent who has experienced a bereavement – there is no requirement to have previously been supported by Pilgrims.

Understanding Your Grief

This informative one-off bereavement support session provides an insight into the way grief can affect you, helping you to understand that grief is a process which takes time to work through. It aims to help you to identify the feelings and emotions that you might be experiencing and to recognise that these are perfectly normal reactions to have when someone close to you dies. This session also encourages peer support and includes time to talk to, and share experiences with other bereaved people in an informal and supportive group setting.

Facilitated by Pilgrims Bereavement Support Team, Understanding Your Grief is held monthly at each of our hospice sites at Ashford, Canterbury and Margate and is suitable for people who have been recently bereaved.

For more information, please call 01233 504 127 or email steppingstones@pilgrimshospices.org.

Who is it for?

Family/friends of hospice patients.

Therapeutic Bereavement Counselling 

Pilgrims' accredited and experienced team of counsellors and volunteer counsellors are specifically trained to offer one to one therapeutic bereavement support either face to face, over the telephone or via video call.

If you feel overwhelmed with grief or you are struggling to adjust following bereavement and you think counselling might be helpful, please contact us and request a consultation with one of our counsellors.

Who is it for?

Family/friends of hospice patients for up to two years after bereavement.

To access any of the bereavement support services above, or if you would like to speak to someone about what support might be most helpful to you, your children or other members of your family, please contact us on 01233 504 127 or email steppingstones@pilgrimshospcies.org.