Bereavement in adults
Bereavement, grief and loss can cause many different symptoms and they affect people in different ways. There's no right or wrong way to feel. Experiencing the loss of someone close to us through death is a difficult process emotionally and mentally as well as coping with the practical changes that we may have to manage. Below is a list of organisations that can help you navigate your feelings.
Compassionate Communities (University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire)
Support group and 1:1 services for over 18s. Open to all, regardless of when their bereavement occurred, or the circumstances
- Online:
- A weekly Zoom support group, Mondays 13.00-14.30.
- To access this, contact compassionatecw@uhcw.nhs.uk
- Befriending:
- 1:1 support via telephone or, outside lockdown, face to face. These are companionship visits, weekly, for as long as the person requires.
- Open to all. To access this, contact UHCW Bereavement Services on 02476 965131 or compassionatecw@uhcw.nhs.uk
- December Drop-ins in Rugby:
- Weekly drop in at Moriarty’s Cafe on Regent Street, 2.00-3.30 on Tuesdays. People can simply come along, no need for referral.
- To find out more contact UHCW Bereavement Services on 02476 965131 or compassionatecw@uhcw.nhs.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Coventry and Warwickshire Cruse offer help and support to those who have lost a loved one, whether recently or a long time ago. They support men, women, children and young people. Their work is led by run mainly by volunteers, all who receive regular ongoing training and are supervised by qualified supervisors. Cruse may be able to offer one-to-one counselling sessions. They also offer group and telephone support plus information evenings.
Find out more about Cruse Bereavement Care
Bereavement Advice Centre
Bereavement Advice Centre is a free helpline and web-based information service provided by Co-op Legal Services. They provide practical information and advice and signposting on the many issues and procedures that face us after the death of someone close.
Find out more about the Bereavement Advice Centre
Bereavement and Grief Self-Help Books
Bereavement and grief self-help books are available from Warwickshire Libraries.
Find the list on the Library catalogue
- How to borrow the books:
- Some of the books are available as eBooks
- You can also borrow the books from all our libraries in Warwickshire. You will need a Warwickshire library card to borrow the books. Find more information on joining the Library.
Way Up
Way Up is a national online self-help group aimed at providing mutual support to those who have been widowed primarily, but not exclusively, in their 50s and 60s. It is a member’s only forum which is free to join and can help people feel much less isolated and alone.
SAMM Support after murder and manslaughter
SAMM Support after murder and manslaughter is a national UK charity supporting families who have been bereaved through murder or manslaughter. The charity also provides advice and training to professionals who support the traumatically bereaved. It is important that you do not feel alone. You will talk to people who will care for you and understand your grief. There is no membership fee and their database is completely confidential and not shared with anyone.
Find out more about SAMM Support after murder and manslaughter
Assist Trauma Care
Assist Trauma Care provides therapeutic help to adults and children, individuals and families, affected by a wide range of traumatic occurrences. Based at a central clinic in Rugby, ASSIST therapists use evidence-based models to help sufferers rebuild their lives and move on following a traumatic experience that has impacted them.
Find out more about Assist Trauma Care
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child dies.
Find out more about Child Bereavement UK
Freddie’s Wish
Freddie’s Wish provides a support service for grieving parents in Coventry and Warwickshire. The support service will be held on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of each month at Long Lawford and Boughton Leigh Children and Family Centres in Rugby. Email: info@freddieswish.org
Find out more at Freddie’s Wish
Rosie Crane Trust
Rosie Crane Trust supports bereaved parents through their grief after the loss of a son or daughter of any age. They offer a 24-hour Listening Ear Helpline which can be accessed on 01460 55120.
Find out more about the Rosie Crane Trust
Support for expectant and new parents
This page provides further information about specialist support for the loss of a baby.
Support for expectant and new parents
Marie Curie telephone bereavement support line
This is a free national listening support service for people who have been bereaved due to terminal illness. Tel: 0800 090 2309.
Find out more about the Marie Curie telephone bereavement support line
Omega
Omega is an end of life charity working hard to raise standards in end of life care by supporting caregivers looking after someone with a terminal illness, people who are themselves end of life, and those who have been bereaved. We prioritise those aged over 75 and still caring or bereaved. Normal office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday.
- Telephone: 01743 245 088
- Email: info@omega.uk.net
- Find out more about Omega
Chatterbox Action Against Loneliness Programme
Chatterbox is a free, confidential, short-term telephone befriending service. It is designed to support those who are lonely and isolated due to their caring role, bereavement, age, or life-limiting and end of life challenges. The service prioritises people over 75. Clients are carefully matched to a dedicated volunteer Befriender who will call them on a weekly basis to provide emotional support and help to find additional services, information and social groups etc.
A Letter from Louise Penpal Befriending Service
A Letter from Louise is a pen pal befriending service in which volunteer pen pals and clients exchange friendly letters on a regular (usually monthly) basis. There are no geographical restrictions. The service is fully safeguarded as all correspondence is sent via our London House office first; no addresses are shared. Freepost envelopes are provided, and writing paper is available on request.
Delphinium Companionship Service
Delphinium is a flexible and confidential telephone-based practical support and companionship service brought to you by Omega.
A trusted and experienced Delphinium Companion will complete a free complementary consultation to begin getting to know you, and gain a good understanding of your personal situation and how we can help. Devoting at least an hour each week (or longer, if needed), your Delphinium Companion can offer a friendly, listening ear and emotional support. Delphinium can also help to facilitate and maintain important connections and offers an efficient research service to find extra sources of help, such as appropriate professionals or community groups. Delphinium is a pay-as-you-go, not-for-profit service which can supplement any existing help that you receive and is tailored to support your needs and well-being.
Some of the benefits of Delphinium:
- companionship
- strict confidentiality
- flexibility
- affordable pay-as-you-go rates
- extra non-clinical support
Free bereavement support programme
A programme of three free bereavement support workshops in small groups led by Omega's award-winning facilitator Jane Hunt.
- share experiences with and learn from others in similar situations
- discover and develop coping skills and begin to focus on the future
- discover your own plan for moving forward with life
- complements any other grief support you receive
Get in touch for information and to reserve a place in the next round of sessions.
Sessions are three hours each and typically held on weekday afternoons. Contact Omega for more information.