Talking Elephants – Support Groups for the Bereaved
In our day-to-day work with families, we realise that people who have been bereaved may want to talk about the person who has died. So as part of our commitment to the local communities we serve, Neville Funerals look to support organisations that provide help and support for the bereaved with some of our staff trained in bereavement counselling by Cruse.
Talking Elephants is a network of support groups where people who have been bereaved meet to support each other through their grief and loss.
If you find it hard to talk to those close to you about your bereavement, why not come to one of our free, informal support groups. Held monthly across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, they offer a friendly face, support and companionship to those experiencing similar thoughts and emotions.
Since our first session in Luton five years ago, our groups have grown in popularity and some of our original members are still attending today.
Louise Clarke, Community and Pre-Need Manager at Neville Funerals, who coordinates the groups says: “Many people are dealing with grief all on their own and it’s important for them to be around other people who are able to understand how they feel. We decided to launch our Talking Elephants support groups because we felt this was needed in the community. We’re delighted to be able to offer our groups in Luton, Stopsley, Hemel Hempstead and Hitchin and we are launching further sessions in Flitwick and Kempston within the next few weeks”.
At Talking Elephants you can share a coffee with other people who may be in a similar situation to yourself, you can also meet a bereavement expert and a friendly Neville team member who will understand your situation and can offer emotional and specific practical help.
Each group is relaxed, informal and we offer a safe space in which to talk freely to people that are happy to listen. Many of our members have told us how helpful they have found the sessions, some having gone on to make deep and lasting friendships.
The Talking Elephants groups are free to attend and available to anyone who is living with loss and would like to speak to others going through a similar experience.
So, come along and join us, you can visit as many groups as you would like and there is no commitment, you can just drop in with no prior notice and we will be happy to give you a warm welcome.
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].
Please advice next meeting in luton/stopsley/hitchin/flitwick
Thank you
Hi Sharon, many thanks for your enquiry. We are currently working towards re-establishing our bereavement support groups and will publish the details of venues, dates and times on our website and Facebook page as soon as they are finalised.
Hello, can you tell me if you run any sessions in Shefford currently? Thank you
Hi Clare
We do run sessions in Shefford on the the forth Friday of the month, from 12.30 – 2.30pm at Shefford Methodist Church Hall, Ampthill Road, Shefford SG17 5BE. Feel free to drop in at any time.
Hi could you let me know if this is still running
Hi Sarah
They are indeed still running: forth Friday in the month at Shefford Methodist Church – 12:30pm – 2:30pm.
Do you meet in the Hitchin area?
We do indeed – our Hitchin session takes place every fourth Thursday in the month, at Holy Saviour Church, Radcliffe Road, Hitchin SH5 1QG between 1 and 3pm.
What are the details for the next meeting in Kempston
Hi Davina – we don’t currently have a session in Kempston, but we do have one in Bedford this Thursday between 2pm – 4pm, at St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PF.
Hello, do you have any meet ups in areas around Henlow?
Hi Bec- we don’t have a session in Henlow, but your nearest ones would be Shefford (every forth Friday in the month, 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Shefford Methodist Church Hall, Ampthill Road, Shefford, SG17 5BE) or Hitchin (every forth Thursday in the month, 1pm to 3pm at Holy Saviour Church Hall, Radcliff Road, Hitchin, SG5 1QG).
Hi, Can you tell me when and where a group runs in Luton please?
Hi Lisa – We have two sessions in Luton. The evening one runs every third Tuesday of the month, 6-8pm at Neville Funerals (Neville House, Marsh Road, Leagrave, Luton LU3 2RZ) and the daytime one is every first Wednesday of the month 12-2pm at The Parish Centre, Lucas Gardens, Barton Hills, Luton LU3 4BG.
Do you have any sessions in AMmpthill please? If so please advise of the next few, thank you
Hi Nital – Flitwick is our nearest location to Ampthill, and they take place every second Friday in the month, so the next one would be 14th April. They are held at The Chapter House, St Peter & Pauls’ Church, Church Road, Flitwick MK45 1AE. We look forward to seeing you soon.
HI, thank you, I only just saw this and didn’t get an email to say there was a response, sorry. Would the next one be 16th June? What time please?
Hi Nital – the next Ampthill one is Friday 9th June at 10.30am at The Chapter House, St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Church Road, Flitwick MK45 1AE. We hope to see you there.