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

The new Grief Kind Space opens on Monday 8 January at The Exmouth Arms, 167 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7LX at the later opening time of 5-7pm, making it easier for people to join if they have commitments during the day.

While this is the second Cheltenham-based Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space, it will be a fourth that the healthcare and bereavement charity has launched in the county with sessions already established at John Lewis in Cheltenham and at Roots Coffee and Community Café and Tank in Gloucester.

Lizzie Smith from Sue Ryder said: "I'm delighted that thanks to our wonderful volunteers and the support of The Exmouth Arms in Cheltenham, we can swiftly open our fourth Grief Kind Space for people in Gloucestershire, providing much needed support for anyone who is grieving.

"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.

"It's wonderful to see connections being made, and to see so many people coming together to talk and share their stories in a safe, informal setting."

The charity hopes its new initiative will help reduce the isolation and loneliness felt by many people following a bereavement.

Lizzie added: "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.

"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."

Further research by the charity revealed an acute need for more informal bereavement support, which carved the way for the creation of Grief Kind Spaces.

Lizzie said: "We spoke with 8,000 people who have been bereaved last year and many told us what they really wanted was to meet and talk to others who had also been bereaved. I hope through our Grief Kind Spaces we can meet this unfulfilled need."

The new evening Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space at The Exmouth Arms, 167 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7LX will take place every Monday from 8 January 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 Roots Coffee and Community, 69 Alvin Street, Gloucester, GL1 3EH is open every Tuesday from 9.30am until 11.30am.

The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space at Tank, 12-14 Llanthony Road, Gloucester GL1 2EH takes place every Wednesday between 5pm and 7pm.

Rob Griffin, who became a Sue Ryder Grief Kind volunteer following the death of his partner in 2022, said: "The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space is here for the whole community. Supporting people in their grief is a subject very close to my heart, and as a community I really feel the chance to get together, talk and be around each other is really needed."

Rob added: "Sometimes it can be difficult to talk to friends and family about your grief and there might be a limit to how long you feel you can continue to share with them. For people attending our Grief Kind Spaces, it doesn't matter who you have lost; a parent, wife, or husband; friend or pet - or how long ago - there is always someone there to listen and without judgement.

"I find that I help people, but they also help me. Sometimes we talk about the loved ones we have lost and sometimes we just talk about general things, and while it can be sad speaking about grief it's a very social and friendly atmosphere. It's like being with a group of friends. People are genuinely interested in what you have to say. It's great to be part of that.

"Our Grief Kind Spaces are welcoming, inclusive and open to anyone who is over 18 and has experienced a bereavement," added Rob. "Whether you want to attend regularly to connect with others in similar situations or drop in for a quick chat.

"You don't need to register and there's no need to book. You don't need to have received any support or care from Sue Ryder previously either. Just pop in to receive a warm welcome from our team of trained volunteers, who are there to listen if you have experienced any kind of loss at any time."

Mike and Georgina Huysinga, owners of the Exmouth Arms in Cheltenham, said: "We are long-standing supporters of Sue Ryder and have enjoyed fundraising for them in the past - it's a charity we wholeheartedly believe in.

"We're so pleased to be helping Sue Ryder facilitate their first early evening Cheltenham Grief Kind Space in the local community by providing a comfortable and welcoming setting for people who are grieving, so they can seek the support they need."

There is no need to register, just pop along.

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 and other support services.