ST Luke’s Hospice has been supporting people in the local community for many years who have experienced a bereavement through their Macmillan Dove Community Counselling Service,reaching out to people within the locality of Basildon/Thurrock/Billericay & Wickford, offering emotional support, counselling and groups.
Following on from extensive bereavement support the Hospice’s commitment is to provide a bereavement social group, somewhere people can go for a friendly chat, refreshments and where there will be organised social events. Having already supported the setting up successful clubs in Billericay and Basildon ( Stepping Forward in Billericay and Tomorrow Club in Basildon) which have now , as was intended, become independent of the hospice and self organising there was an awareness of the need for a similar club in the Thurrock area.
Using the successes of these two groups as a model we are pleased to announce the launch of ‘Brighter Horizons’ a new Grays Thurrock based bereavement social group on Thursday 18th April.
The group will meet on the third Thursday of every month at the Socketts Heath Baptist Church, Premier Avenue, Grays RM16 2SB between 10-12noon.
Bright Horizons was launched collaboratively by St. Lukes, Macmillan Dove Community Counselling Service and Cribbs & Sons with support from the Socketts Heath Baptist Church.
Karen Ball from St. Lukes explained ‘’Everyone who has experienced bereavement is very welcome to join ‘Brighter Horizons’, joining will encourage you and others to come together and socialise and share experiences in a relaxed environment, building confidence and supporting each other, to re-integrate socially within their community’’.
Derek Coster, from Corringham, who was at the launch and is a member of the Basildon based ‘’Tomorrow Club’’ said ‘I am delighted that ‘Brighter Horizons’ has been launched. As a Thurrock resident I recognise it’s something that is needed for the people in Thurrock . I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar position to me to come along – following the death of my wife I really needed something like this to help me readjust my social life and help me have some fun again so joined the Basildon Tomorrow Club – it really has helped me turn my life around. It may not be for everyone but until you come along and try you won’t know. ‘’
To find out more about Brighter Horizons contact 01375 648179 or 01277 648057.
