A charity has stepped into help continue a much-loved group for people who have lost someone.
The weekly Bereavement Groups were set up by the Sue Ryder charity back in 2024 to bring people together who have lost a loved one.
But it’s recently decided to stop funding the initiative.
Since its inception it has been held in South Holland at Tonic Health’s bases in Spalding and Holbeach.
And after seeing the effect it’s had on the community, that South Holland charity has instead taken it on and agreed to fund it.
Tonic Health’s community co-ordinator Jo Ireland said: “What’s nice about the group is that they are a range of ages with one thing in particular thing in common, they’ve lost someone close.
“We’ve watched now established friendships grow.
“They meet up outside the group and message each other, checking in on one another.
“The funding was cut at quite short notice but it’s such a vital resource we have decided to fund it and take it on.”
Attendees at the Spalding session spoke positively of the group having lost loved ones including partners and fathers.
Many said they’d been wary of coming and expecting it to be mainly much older people but had been surprised at its make up and enjoyed the connections they had formed.
Laura Stevens, project co-ordinator at Tonic Health, added: “We didn’t want to lose the support system that has been available.
“It’s been lovely to see relationships bloom.”
The Spalding Bereavement Group meets from 10am to 1pm every Tuesday at Tonic Health’s Broadgate House base on Westlode Street in Spalding.
The Holbeach group is at Tonic Health’s Boston Road South Hub from 10am to 12pm.
