bEREAVEMENT SuPPoRT sE ssi Ons

As February arrives, Bereavement Support Keynsham reaches its first anniversary.

Founder and leader Alan Hale, told us: “Thanks to a great response for a call for volunteers we were able to launch in February of 2022 with 16 volunteers. To begin with, we held an afternoon session, but then with the support of Keynsham Town Council funding, we were able to add a tea time/early evening session. Our afternoon session has averaged between 10 to 15 attendees, whilst the evening session has averaged three but that means that three people received support who otherwise would not have done so.”

Bereavement Support Keynsham has attracted a partnership with Dorothy House Hospice, who were keen to have the local group as one of their referred drop-in centres as they start to build a network of such centres within B&NES Council area. The hospice also provided facilitation training to the volunteers.

Sessions are held at the Keynsham Baptist Church Hall, High Street. The evening session is on the first Wednesday of each month between 5.30pm and 7pm and the afternoon session is on the fourth Monday of each month between 2pm and 4pm. The sessions are free, with coffee, tea and biscuits provided. There is no need to book, but any enquiries can be sent to Bereavementkeynsham@ gmail.com or 07776493221. Any business or charity organisation wishing to offer financial support can also make contact via email.