Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space opened in Spalding this week, with another planned for Holbeach
A service which offers bereavement support to residents has opened a new drop-in in the county this week.
Sue Ryder will launch its brand-new Grief Kind Space in Spalding after the scheme has proven successful in other parts of Lincolnshire.
Another will open in Holbeach later this year.
Grief Kind Spaces are weekly, in-person drop-in sessions that provide a safe, informal, and supportive place for people to come together and share their experiences of grief, helping attendees to feel heard and less alone.
The county’s third Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space launched on Tuesday (August 6) and run weekly from 10am-12 noon at Tonic Health on Westlode Street.
“I am delighted that with the support of our hosts Tonic Health and our fantastic volunteers, we can expand our Grief Kind Space offer providing more vital bereavement support to more people,” said Marie Huggins, the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space area co-ordinator.
“So far at our existing county spaces in Stamford and Bourne the feedback we have received has been encouraging – we have had some people already tell us that they have been a lifeline.
“Our Grief Kind Spaces are welcoming, inclusive, and open to anyone over 18 who has experienced any kind of bereavement at any time.
“Whether you want to attend regularly to connect with others in similar situations or drop in for a quick chat you will receive a warm welcome.”
The opening of the Spalding Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space will be swiftly followed by the launch of a fourth space in Holbeach, which Tonic Health will also host at their Holbeach Hub on Boston Road South.
This will open from noon until 2pm from September 30.
As the Grief Kind Spaces continue to grow, the charity is searching for more local volunteers to join them and help make a difference.
Marie added: “All of our sessions are run out in the community with the help of trained volunteers, and we are looking for more people to join the team, especially for our new space in Holbeach,
“You don't need to have experience or have done anything like this before – full training will be provided. You just need to be over 18 years old and have a few hours to share.
“If this sounds like something you would like to be involved in, I would encourage you to get in touch.”
Jo Ireland, from Tonic Health, said: “We are really looking forward to the Sue Ryder Grief spaces coming to the South Holland area.
“As a Community Connector working as part of the NHS Integrated Place Based Team, and hosted by Tonic Health, I regularly meet individuals struggling with bereavement. These new regular sessions will be a valuable community asset, enabling face to face support, as and when people need it.”
To find out more about becoming a Grief Kind Space volunteer visit sueryder.org/GKVolunteer or email GriefKindSpaces@sueryder.org