Matt finds solace in Pilgrims Hospices bereavement support services
After Matt’s wife, Emily, received Pilgrims Hospices care, he was offered counselling to help him process his experiences.
From there, he was signposted to the charity’s wider Stepping Stones Bereavement Support Services, which he has found useful in navigating his journey through grief.
Matt initially attended the Bereavement Café at the Thanet hospice, an informal support group facilitated by trained volunteers. It provides an opportunity to meet and talk with other bereaved people in a relaxed and welcoming safe space over coffee and a biscuit.
Matt said: “I was anxious at first, but I quickly felt welcome at the Bereavement Café. We were split into small groups with a volunteer, which I found really helpful, as I felt a bit uncertain about sharing my experiences within the larger overall group. The volunteers are great, it’s a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, and it’s nice to have tea and biscuits, too.
“I haven’t been to the Bereavement Café in a while, but I’m planning to go to the next one. With Emily’s birthday and our wedding anniversary coming up, my grief is heightened, and I’m aware that I might need more support.”
Whilst at the Bereavement Café, Matt read about the Walk & Talk groups in a Stepping Stones brochure. He now attends the Pegwell Bay and Westcliff, Ramsgate walking groups.
Matt continued: “It’s great that they’re so local to me, as it makes it easier to fit in around work commitments. You don’t need to walk every week – sometimes, I cope better if I’m not thinking about Emily – so it’s useful to be able to dip in and out.
“I love being in nature and amongst the wildlife; the walks are relaxing and give you other things to talk about besides your grief. There is no pressure for time, you just go at your own pace. There’s also a cafe where we sometimes stop for a drink, which is really nice.
“I have reasonable support from family and friends, but they’re also dealing with their own grief, so I don’t want to bring them down all the time. That’s why the Bereavement Café and Walk & Talk groups are so helpful, because they allow you to vocalise your feelings, in a safe space, with others who are experiencing similar emotions.”
To find out more about bereavement support at Pilgrims, visit pilgrimshospices.org/bereavement.
National Grief Awareness Week takes place 2-8 December 2024. It raises awareness of the impact of grief and loss on a national platform. To find out more, visit thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw.
