People who have had a bereavement and who would like to meet in a small group, with others who are also bereaved. There is no time frame for when your bereavement happened; it may be recent or historical. What seems more important is that you have some sense of being ready to receive support in a small group, alongside feeling able to participate in some reflection, sharing and activities with others in the group. You will be encouraged to do this in a way which supports you.
The group provides an opportunity for people to share and express what they are experiencing in relation to their bereavement. There may be something universal about loss, as well as each person having their own unique experience. Whatever your experience, you will be welcomed in the group. There is no order of importance to any person’s bereavement because every loss is significant to each person in its very own way.
The content of group meetings will be discussed with you to support the unique needs of you and the group. Generally, we tend to do a mixture of structured and creative, expressive activities, alongside sharing and talking. We make a group working agreement together, which includes confidentiality.
It will be a closed group, in person, of up to ten people (our average group size is between 6 and 8 people). The group takes place on campus, in the Jo Cox More in Common Centre, in a quiet and comfortable room.
Every Thursday from 25th January 2024 to 22nd February 2024 from 1.30pm - 3.30pm.
We take a comfort break in the middle of each session. You are strongly encouraged to commit to attending all sessions to enable you and others to be supported in a consistent way.
Lynne, one of the counsellors from the University Counselling Service. Lynne has experience of doing group work and supporting bereaved people.
You will need to email counselling@hud.ac.uk and ask to be added to the Bereavement Support Group waiting list. Lynne will then contact you to arrange a one-to-one meeting, to discuss your general expectations and answer any important questions you may have. This is designed to support you and an opportunity to ‘say hello’ before the group begins to meet.
No, though you may wish to identify someone or something which supports you to care for yourself between sessions, though we look at ways of supporting ourselves between sessions too, and beyond. Groups can be a powerful source of support. It may feel a bit exposing at times too.