Bereavement Services

Our team is well established, experienced and diverse and made up of a counsellor, Bereavement Support Workers, complementary therapist, and volunteers.

We aim to contact families six to eight weeks after their bereavement by letter or telephone, to ask if any support and advice might be helpful at this time.

Once contact has been made with the team, you will have an opportunity to discuss your circumstances and explore your current needs with the bereavement support worker and you will be advised of the therapies and support available which might feel most appropriate to meet your needs at this time.

This support may be:

1:1 by specified appointment and time limited.
These may also take place remotely e.g. listening support via telephone/online Teams support.
Newly Bereaved Group Support - accessing regular topics and wellbeing advice.
We recognise that grief is unique, it is not the same experience for everyone we support individuals in a way that is both timely and meaningful to them.

We do not have a limit on the amount of time our service can be accessed, but we do review our support regularly and if support is required beyond 2 years after initially accessing the service we might feel your needs might be best supported elsewhere and we can discuss this with you.

Children’s Bereavement Support
We also offer support for children. For more information please visit our 'support for children' page by clicking on the below.

Supporting children

Grief affects children and young people differently. This can be impacted by age, temperament, time of life and circumstances of the death. Not knowing what is ‘normal’ or helpful to say or do to support them can be challenging.

Our team can offer support to help at this time. This may include advice on funeral attendance, support and steer for difficult conversations or reassurances of what behaviours are ‘normal’ at this time. We can support a child themselves directly or indirectly.

Indirect support might take the form of advocating for a child or young person, liaising with schools, colleges or other professionals. We can also support teaching staff or wellbeing and pastoral care who might be supporting your child as they are often more easily accessible.

For any information on bereavement support for children and young people contact:

Lisa Henry – Bereavement Coordinator
Telephone: 01924 331400 or email us by clicking the 'contact us' button below.

Peer Bereavement Support Group

Our Peer Support Bereavement Group takes place on alternate Thursdays and runs from 9.30am to 12:00pm in the Seymour Suite (Day Therapy Unit) at Wakefield Hospice.

The Peer support group runs in addition to our Newly Bereaved Group which takes place on the alternative weeks.

The Peer Support group is suited to individuals who have been bereaved within the last 2 years and are known to the hospice. Staff will be available for support, but predominantly we aim for this group to be a peer/self-supporting group.

Please express your interest by contacting:
Lisa Henry – Bereavement Counsellor/Coordinator on 01924 331400 or if you have any questions regarding our Bereavement support and listening support.

Newly Bereaved Group
This group is suited to individuals who have been bereaved for less than 12 months and are known to the hospice.

Our Newly Bereaved Group runs from 9.30 to 12noon on alternate Thursdays in the Seymour Suite (Day Therapy Unit) at Wakefield Hospice. The dates and topics for both groups are on the group programme below.

View programme

As part of this group, a bereavement focused topic takes place between 10:00am – 11:00am. This is an open discussion within the group relating to the chosen topic subject for that week alongside this, we also have a wellbeing focused topic taking place once a month.

There is no need to book to attend this group, although it would be advisable to contact a member of the Bereavement Team beforehand (just so we can ensure that this is the right kind of support to meet your current needs).

There is also no obligation to attend every session, we understand that grief is fluid, so we encourage clients to ‘dip in & out’ as they feel fit and attend any or all of the sessions to meet their current bereavement needs.

Please express your interest by contacting:
Lisa Henry - Bereavement Coordinator on 01924 331400

Bereavement Group

Our Bereavement Groups run from 9.30 to 12noon in the Seymour Suite (Day Therapy Unit) at Wakefield Hospice.

This group is suited to individuals who have been bereaved less than 12 months and are known to the Hospice.

Groups will be run fortnightly with updated dates posted here.

Numbers are limited to keep our clients, staff and hospice safe.

Please express your interest by contacting: Lisa Henry - Bereavement Coordinator on 01924 331400 or email us by clicking the 'contact us' button below.

Contact us

Bereavement service FAQ

Who is it for?

Wakefield Hospice Bereavement Support service is for anyone who has been bereaved by someone who was known to Wakefield Hospice, e.g. you may be a family member or a friend of someone who has been a patient or attended our wellbeing service or an inpatient who has sadly died. You may have been a carer/relative attending the wellbeing service in your own right but who is now bereaved.

What if I can't come at these times?

If you would like some bereavement support but are unable to come at these times, ask to speak with Lisa Henry, our Bereavement Services Co-ordinator, and she can help arrange support at a time that is more convenient.

What if I don't want to be in a group?

It is perfectly okay to sit quietly on your own, but there are always members of the team who are there to support you or just sit quietly with you. We have two conservatories, a pleasant outside sitting area and wonderful gardens which can be used if people want or need a bit of space.

Do I have to make an appointment?

You are welcome to attend our newly bereaved group on the dates/times they run and you don't need an appointment for this. Appointments are needed for the Complementary Therapies and Counselling. You can arrange this with any member of the bereavement team.

Is there a charge for attending or for the treatments?

We do not charge for any of our services or for tea or coffee but you are welcome to make a donation via the donation station / donation box which are located in our reception area.

I think I would like to attend but feel nervous about walking in alone

This is a very natural feeling and there will always be someone to meet and greet you when you first come. On your first visit we will sit and talk with you about your situation (if required). We will help you to settle in.

We can arrange to meet you in the car park if you wish and come in to the Hospice with you. Just give us a ring on the Hospice telephone number and ask to speak to either Lisa Henry or a member of the Bereavement Team.

How many times can I come? How long can I come for?

We can support bereaved families for up to two years (from accessing the service) depending on your needs as we recognise that every individuals grief experience is different. However, as you feel stronger and manage the adjustments needed to live with your loss, you will no longer need us. Our aim is to help you receive support from us without becoming dependent.

Can children come to the Drop In too?

If you know children or young people under 18 who would like some help in their bereavement, our Bereavement Services Co-ordinator, Lisa Henry can offer some help individually or sign post you to services especially for children and young people.

When is it open? When can I come?

The newly bereaved group is run on alternate Thursdays (excluding Bank Holidays) from 9:30am - 12:00pm – please see the group programme above.

How will I know when I don't need to come anymore?

We cannot be a 'forever service' - everyone's experience of bereavement is different and so their needs are different. We aim to help you to develop coping strategies, through emotional support and counselling, through creative activities and spiritual support, relaxation and complementary therapies. Some people find it is helpful to meet and talk with others who are going through something similar. Whatever your situation, we will discuss your needs with you and together develop a plan support that is suitable.

If you are someone who comes regularly we will periodically catch up with you to see how our support is helping you and how you are coping and we may suggest changes if appropriate.

Some people find it helpful to come every week for a while and then later, just now and again, perhaps on a bad day or during a difficult time, eg. around an anniversary or other significant date. Others come specifically for counselling, spiritual support or complementary therapy treatments. Some people come early on in their bereavement and others after some time. Everyone is different and we try to be as flexible as we can to support you as you progress through your bereavement and are more ready to move on.

Think of us as a 'stepping stone' or a means to an end, where you begin to adjust to living with your loss and finding new meanings in your life.

Useful links for adults

To access our Bereavement Support "What do you do now?" Guide please click here
www.gov.uk
w ww.cruse.org.uk
w ww.thegoodgrieftrust.org
www.nationalbereavementalliance.org.uk
https://goodgrieffest.com

Useful links for children

w ww.winstonswish.org
w ww.childbereavementuk.org
w ww.griefencounter.org.uk