PEOPLE who are struggling after losing a loved one are being offered support through a new grief café initiative.
Started by Jasmin Kershaw-Vogels, of John Blenkiron & Sons funeral directors, the Grief Connections Café will meet monthly at Barnard Castle Methodist Church hall.
The first takes place on Tuesday, April 9, between 3pm and 4.30pm.
Ms Kershaw-Vogels said: “I wanted to set up something for the community for after the funeral has passed, so that they have somewhere to go. For a lot of people it can be a struggle afterwards.
“What I am trying to do is give Barnard Castle and the surrounding community a shoulder to lean on.
“People can come along, drop in, make some new friends and maybe just talk amongst themselves because part of the healing process is talking.
“Sometimes for people that have been in the same situation it is good for them to have contact and just talk. If they miss people and just want to reminisce then they can do that.”
Ms Kershaw-Vogels has received support for the café from Revd Canon Alec Harding, vicar of St Mary’s Church, and Revd Graham Cutler, minister of the Methodist Church.
She added that similar initiatives around the country have been successful in helping people to come to terms with their grief.
Funeral director at John Blenkiron & Sons Will Bellerby said: “I think it is a really good thing what Jasmin is doing, allowing people to come together and speak freely [about their grief].”
For more information ring Ms Kershaw-Vogels on 01833 695444.
