Free Bereavement Support Group Launches in Bedford

Neville Funerals, one of the region’s longest established family-owned businesses, has expanded its free bereavement support group service, Talking Elephants, into Bedford after overwhelming attendance at its eight other groups, which have now reopened across the region.  

Talking Elephants provides individuals with easily accessible, free, local and most importantly face-to-face bereavement support and the opportunity to comfortably engage with those in the community who are also experiencing loss or who are coping with grief.   

Neville Funerals has run the groups across its local communities in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire since 2015, receiving positive feedback from attendees who said the groups provide a friendly environment to share their experiences as well as listen to others. 

James Witham, Branch Manager at Neville Funerals, is also responsible for managing the new Talking Elephants group launches: “Since we reopened the groups in September 2021 following the pandemic, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people walking through the doors, which highlights the value and need for such services.” 

Now available in Bedford at St Andrews Church, the sessions will be held on the first Thursday of each month, providing essential support and a safe place for individuals to meet and talk as little or as much as they would like. 

Charmian Alexander, Director at Neville Funerals said: “Support for the bereaved can be often overlooked. With the world how it is today, it’s vital that we can expand our support radius to include Bedford and give our local community that extra support they need in difficult times. 

“Following the amazing response that we have had from the communities these groups are already operating in, now is the perfect time to expand into a new location to offer additional help and support at a very local level – directly in the heart of the Bedford community. And we’re so pleased that the first session was such a success, with a really great turnout.  

“It’s important to note that this isn’t a counselling service, it’s an opportunity to meet and share as little or as much as you please – an open door to those that just need to walk through and feel that they are not alone in their grief. We hope by introducing Talking Elephants to Bedford, we can provide the comfort and support other communities have cherished.” 

If you would like more information about Talking Elephants, please take a look our bereavement support page or contact the team directly on 01582 499680 or email [email protected].  

Comments

    • Good morning Val – please accept my condolences for your loss.

      Our Bedford Talking Elephants takes place on the first Thursday of the month – the next one is next Thursday (5th October) – at St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford MK40 2PF, between 2 and 4pm. The groups are friendly and informal, designed to connect with others who have been bereaved. If the Bedford session is not right for you, we have a range of sessions across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. These are detailed here: https://www.nevillefuneralservice.com/our-bereavement-support-services/. Alternatively, you can contact our Talking Elephants team on 01582 499680 or by email at [email protected].

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