A Burnham-On-Sea bereavement support group has launched an online help service to help local people during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Bereavement Café has launched a new online support group via social media which is freely available to all.
The Bereavement Café has been active in Burnham-On-Sea and the surrounding area for several years, meeting at St Andrew’s Church on the third Sunday of each month up until the Coronavirus outbreak.
Under the Covid-19 regulations the group have had to suspend meetings, and in the current situation they are unable to tell when it will be safe to resume face to face meetings.
Reverend Sharon Eldergill and the team of volunteers who run the Bereavement café have set up a Facebook page called Burnham Bereavement Café Online, which is available to anyone who is affected by loss or Bereavement here.
Rev Sharon told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “With the suspension of the Bereavement Café due to the Coronavirus, and the introduction of Social Isolation and distancing we have been acutely aware of the need for support for those in our local community who are affected by loss or bereavement.”
“The Burnham Bereavement Café Online is intended to provide a safe online support space, open to anyone affected by Bereavement, where people can share their thoughts and feelings, and discuss together some of the experiences and challenges of journeying through bereavement towards a ‘new normal’.”
“Confidentiality has always been an important factor of Bereavement Café, and so the Facebook group is set to ‘Private’ which means that whilst anybody can find the group and ask to join, only those who are group members can see what is posted there and join in conversations.”
“We have strict rules on confidentiality that we ask all new members to agree to, so that what’s posted on Burnham Bereavement Café Online stays in Burnham Bereavement Café Online, so people can feel that this remains a safe and confidential space for them, where they can develop friendships and seek and receive support from others who share the pain of loss and the challenge of adjusting to new circumstances.”
As well as the Facebook group, there will be more information about Bereavement support on the St Andrew’s website, including a monthly video and some helpful resources at http://www.standrewsbos.co.uk/life/bereavement.html. Postal or email support can be provided by Café hosts for those who do not use social media by emailing Reverend Sharon at sharon.eldergill@gmail.com
