Bereavement Support

Our Bereavement Support service is available to those registered with a GP in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn or the Ribble Valley; who have experienced a death within the last three years. This is provided by our team of trained Bereavement Supporters.

We offer two ways for people to find support after a loss:

Closed Group Bereavement Support or our Drop-In Bereavement Café.

Both provide a calm, welcoming space where people can talk, listen and connect with others who have also experienced bereavement.

Services

Closed Group Bereavement Support is available at the Hospice over six fortnightly sessions.  A prior referral is required, followed by an assessment to determine needs, preferences, and eligibility.

The Drop‑In Bereavement Café takes place in Café Retreat on the first and third Monday of each month, from 1pm to 3pm. There’s no referral needed, and the number of years since the death does not apply.

Referrals

Referrals can be made through healthcare professionals, such as your GP or District Nurse, and by self-referral. With the patient’s consent, a friend or family member may also make a direct referral to the service.

Referral criteria

We can only accept referrals to our Bereavement Support service if the individual meets the following criteria:

• The individual is aged 18+
• The individual has suffered a bereavement within the past 3 years.
• The individual is registered with a GP in either Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn or the Ribble Valley.

Please note that we are unable to meet the needs of people with complex mental health or substance misuse difficulties.

Accessing other hospice services

We regularly work alongside other hospice services and make referrals when appropriate. Our holistic approach puts the individual’s health and wellbeing at the centre of everything we do, helping them make the most of life.