Bereavement & Emotional Support

When someone close to you dies it can be a challenging, emotional and lonely time, particularly if you have been caring for the person for a while. We cannot offer individual counselling but talking and sharing feelings with someone who is experienced in listening, or with other bereaved people who have similar experiences can be helpful.

We offer bereavement support in group sessions as well as telephone support for people who do not wish to attend a group, or cannot access one. Our bereavement support is reviewed after six months and can be provided for up to a year. For more details or to request support please get in touch.

Group Support

We welcome bereaved carers who live in Hertfordshire or have cared in Hertfordshire and have lost the person for whom they cared in the last three years. We have groups in Watford and Hatfield. If you are interested in joining either group, please get in touch.

We hope the free sessions will help you to:

• Share your experience with other people in a similar situation.
• Help you to find your own way to cope and move forward.
• Get the information you need about other support and services which are available to you.

The sessions are run by an experienced team of volunteers who will be present at all sessions to offer a listening ear and support.

Case Study:

Margaret joined the Bereavement Group after her husband, who she had been caring for for seven years, died. Margaret said: “Carers in Hertfordshire helped me every step of the way in caring for my husband and when I found out about their Bereavement Course I was keen to go. I had had bereavement counselling before, so when my husband died I knew that I had to work at dealing with my grief. I realised that for each death you have to come to terms with the particular situation you are in – because I had cared for my husband for so long it was a different kind of grief from when my parents died. That’s why the Carers in Hertfordshire course appealed to me – it addressed my particular situation and gave me the chance to meet other people on a parallel journey.

“The course was structured, well-balanced and varied, and allowed plenty of time for people to talk and help each other through the process. It really has the right approach, acknowledging that grief is hard work, but that you can get through it. You feel cared for, accepted and supported, no matter what level you are at.”

Bereaved carers living anywhere in Hertfordshire are welcome to attend.

Confidentiality is respected within the group at all times.

If you would like more information or would like to arrange to talk to a member of the Bereavement Support Team, please get in touch.