It’s important to us, at CancerCare, to listen to the needs of our clients, and the idea for therapist-led bereavement groups came from client and therapist feedback.

Clients recognised that they felt isolated and lonely in their grief. They had friends and family around them, but felt that these people often didn’t “get it”. Comments such as “it’s been six months now, surely you feel better?” are born from people’s fervent wish that the client feels better, but they end up stigmatising and isolating the bereaved person. This adds to the “weight of grief”.

To be in the company of others who struggle with their grief is to experience the vastness and the individuality of grief. Clients can see that some of their thoughts and feelings are the same, and can feel that their grief is not “mental ill health” but actually a way we try to move through the loss of a loved one.

It can also provide a safe space for recognising and accepting other ways of grieving, some of that may feel challenging, but it brings opportunities for growth and connection.

CancerCare is launching a pilot scheme of therapist-led bereavement groups, held by two counsellor, and sessions will have an educational aspect like briefly explaining a theory of grief, then clients are free to share their own experiences.

Developing groupwork also stems from the ever-present pressure of increasing referrals and demands upon the clinical service, coupled with the challenges of funding. CancerCare offers professional expertise and compassionate service to those in need, sadly this is an increasing number of people.

Therapist-led bereavement groups are a cost effective way for us to provide a new valuable therapeutic experience to clients.

We are pleased to say that this pilot study and a further three groups have been made possible by a generous “Awards for All” grant.

For more information about when our groups will begin, please contact tct@cancercare.org.uk.