Gloucestershire residents will be able to access more free, informal peer-to-peer bereavement support next week when Sue Ryder launches its fifth Grief Kind Space in Gloucestershire.

While this will be the third Gloucester-based Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space, it will be the fifth that the healthcare and bereavement charity has launched in the county.

The new Grief Kind Space opens on Tuesday, February 20, between 10am and 12pm at The Boat on the Docks, The Barge Arm, Gloucester Docks, GL1 2DN.

Lizzie Smith, who is the co-ordinator for the Grief Kind Spaces in Gloucestershire, said: "I am delighted that we are able to offer this service to even more people as we open our Grief Kind Space in Gloucester Docks, providing much needed support to anyone who is grieving.

"Almost every home in the UK has, or will experience the loss of someone, but Sue Ryder's research has found that 86% of people who had been bereaved said they felt alone in their grief.

"Quite often people feel they are a burden speaking about their grief to friends or family, but our Grief Kind Spaces help remove that feeling, so people can talk, listen to others who might be experiencing the same as them, and gain support.

"Our Grief Kind Spaces in Gloucester and Cheltenham offer a free, friendly in-person drop-in session providing a safe, welcoming and supportive place for anyone who has been bereaved to share their experiences of grief, helping them to feel heard and less alone."

The new Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space in Gloucester will take place every Tuesday at The Boat on the Docks. This venue will replace Roots Coffee and Community Café, which sadly closed earlier this month.

• The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space at Tank, 12-14 Llanthony Road, Gloucester GL1 2EH takes place every Wednesday between 5pm and 7pm.
• The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space in The Library in The Place to Eat Café in John Lewis Cheltenham is open every Wednesday from 9am until 11am.
• The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space at The Exmouth Arms, 167 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7LX takes place every Monday between 5pm and 7pm.

When Sue O'Shea's husband died unexpectedly, she struggled to cope with her grief. Having heard about Sue Ryder's Grief Kind Space in her hometown of Cheltenham, she decided to attend. 

Sue explained: "The first time I came to the Grief Kind Space it was like coming in to meet old friends. Everybody was so kind. They just gave me a hug. They listened to my story, and it was so uplifting to come somewhere where people know how you're feeling, and what you need."

Sue added: "I talk about my story, but we talk about other things too. I've made good friends here. We've met up separately as well. We went to the pub when it was my wedding anniversary, which was the first big landmark. It was their idea. It was such a kind thing to do and helped me get through that day enormously.

"I've been coming for about six months now. It's helped me through because I don't know many people in Cheltenham. I'm on my own quite a lot, but I know that if I've had a bad week, I can share things with people in the group. And supporting other people when they're going through a hard time helps you see that it's not you on your own. This group is the only support I've had. It's been amazing.

"The welcome mat is open for you. If you look up and see a person for the first time, you just welcome them in, and know they'll get the same treatment that I did when I first came."

There is no need to register or book, just pop along.

Leo Thomas-Lawton, owner of The Boat on the Docks, said: "We're so pleased to be helping Sue Ryder facilitate a Grief Kind Space by providing a comfortable and welcoming setting for people in Gloucestershire who are grieving. Grief Kind Spaces are a much-needed initiative and we're delighted to be helping the local community access the support they need."

For details of further Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces opening in 2024 visit www.sueryder.org/Spaces 

Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces is not a counselling service. Anyone seeking more formal support can use Sue Ryder's existing Online Bereavement Counselling Service | Sue Ryder