All Friends Together at new bereavement group

CO-OP Funeralcare in Southport has launched bereavement group, Friends Together, aimed to support members of the local community through the loss of a loved one.

Co-op’s Friends Together monthly lunch was introduced by estate planning lead, Debbie Hall, who works at the funeral home on Sefton Street.

The group, set up this summer, provides Co-op Funeralcare with a way of supporting members of its local community through the bereavement process.

Research from the Co-op has found that loneliness is one of the biggest issues facing communities across the UK.

With the support of the British Red Cross, Co-op continues to work closely with local communities to help tackle loneliness, and the development of bereavement groups such as the Friends Together group in Southport is another means of confronting the issue.

Held at the St Philip and St Paul with Wesley Church, those in attendance enjoy a home cooked meal, followed by tea and coffee, whilst they’re able to chat with others who’ve been through a bereavement.

Debbie Hall said: “We initially decided to set up Friends Together as we wanted to con- tinue to help local families through the grieving process.

“It offers individuals the opportunity to openly discuss how they’re feeling with likeminded people.

“People can expect bereavement groups to be sombre but the reality is that the conversations are so varied and very often the room is filled with laughter.

“Members of the public who have suffered a loss, whether a friend, family member or even a pet, are welcome to join us.”

Reverend Marie-Anne Kent commented: “We’ve been hosting Co-op’s Friends Together bereavement lunch since it started and it’s been great to see the group grow each month.

“The group meets to talk about everything, from bereavement to what they’re planning to do at the weekend.

“It’s a great atmosphere and there’s no better way to have a good conversation than over some home cooked food.”

Friends Together bereavement lunch is held at the St Philip and St Paul with Wesley Church, Scarisbrick New Road, Southport, PR8 6QF, once a month at 12.30pm.

For further details or to attend the next Friends Together lunch, contact Debbie Hall on 01704 501501.