Bereavement Services at Priscilla Bacon Lodge

These one-off sessions are intended for adults who are newly bereaved, in the first 3 months of bereavement. The session offers guidance and understanding to help you navigate your thoughts and feelings in these difficult early moments of grief.

Losing a loved one often brings distress with intense, overwhelming thoughts and feelings and often a sense that we are not coping.

We offer a short presentation about grief and how it may manifest within you and your daily living, along with some guidance on how to care for yourself.

It is a safe space where you may also feel able to share your experiences with others who are on a similar journey.

Sessions are offered bi-monthly at Priscilla Bacon Lodge. It is free to attend and you do not need to have had previous contact with the hospice.

Next date:

• Wednesday 26th February 2025, 12:00pm-2:00pm

Please book your place here.

Our monthly drop-in sessions are available to all adults, at any point in your bereavement journey. Held at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, these gatherings provide a supportive space to connect with others in your community who are also navigating grief. It’s a safe and understanding environment in which you can share your experiences.

Clinically led, with the assistance of trained volunteers, these two-hour sessions offer support rather than therapy, and are not suitable for children.

You are most welcome to attend even if you have not had previous contact with the hospice.

It is free to attend, and refreshments will be available.

2025 dates:

• Mon 27th January, 1pm-3pm
• Mon 24th February, 10am-12pm
• Mon 31st March, 1pm-3pm
• Mon 28th April, 10am-12pm
• Fri 30th May, 1pm-3pm
• Mon 30th June, 10am-12pm

To help us to plan for numbers, please book your place here.

This is closed group, facilitated by our trained counselling team, running for 8 consecutive weeks. It is intended for adults experiencing ongoing bereavement needs, post 3 months of bereavement, which have not been met. You may need further guidance and understanding of your experiences in grief to support you moving forward.

The group is available to all, you do not need to have had previous contact with the hospice.

Please email the Bereavement Counselling Team to request a place in the group: bereavementsupport@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk

Places are limited, however further groups will run throughout the year. A member of the team will contact you for a brief telephone assessment to determine your suitability for the group.

2025 dates (all Wednesdays):

• 12th February
• 19th February
• 26th February
• 5th March
• 12th March
• 19th March
• 26th March
• 2nd April

Time: 4-6pm

Our Bereavement Counselling Service is intended for bereaved relatives whose loved one was in receipt of care from NCHC Specialist Palliative Care Services within Priscilla Bacon Lodge and Community Care.

Counselling is not usually offered in the first 12 weeks of bereavement; this is to allow time to enter the natural grieving process. You may be experiencing shock and numbness initially and there will be many practicalities to manage in this time. It is often after the funeral that the grieving process begins. If you require bereavement support in the first 12 weeks, we advise you access our Living with Grief session and or our drop-in. We would also advise you to be in regular contact with family and friends.

When to seek one-to-one counselling

• If other support accessed in grief has not made a difference, such as family/friends, community groups, drop-ins.
• If normal symptoms of grief become severe or disabling, affecting your ability to function in daily life.
• If your emotions are so intense that you feel you cannot go on, experiencing thoughts of harm to self or others.
• Experiencing extreme anxiety or sadness.
• If you have a history of diagnosed depression and/or anxiety.

To make a referral, please call 01603 776600. You will be offered an initial assessment, to determine your needs and suitability for one-to-one counselling.

Our team offers support face-to-face, online and over the telephone. Some people may only need a few sessions, while others may require longer term support.