Derbyshire group launched to help people who have lost a loved one has celebrated its first anniversary
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 21/11/2017
A group launched to offer help, friendship and support to those who have lost a loved one has celebrated its first anniversary.
The Forget Me Not bereavement group was launched at Sinfin Funeral Home, in Derby, to bring people together from similar walks of life who have lost someone, to talk about their loss but also to socialise and create lasting friendships.
The group was such a success that Central England Co-operative Funeralcare decided to roll-out the concept to Funeral Homes across the 16 counties in which it trades ranging from Birmingham to Norfolk.
Now, one year on from the first meeting, Sinfin Funeral Director Kate Spencer talks about the idea behind launching a group with a difference.
She said: “The group first came about after a family lost their father, and the children of the family approached me to ask if there was a support group in the area that their mum could attend.
“It was also not the first time that I had heard people ask about a support group in the area. I felt this was a real issue.
“The initial meeting was launched to run for the six weeks leading up to Christmas and was a great success with a regular group of eight people coming along every week.
“What people liked was that the group was not just a bereavement group. It was something more. It allowed people who have experienced similar things to come together and speak about their grief if they wanted to, but also to talk about anything else ranging from subjects such as decorating and Christmas all while enjoying tea and a biscuit.
“It is an informal group that anyone can come along to. It is also the kind of group where you can come as and when you need it. We will always be here for those that need us.
“One year on from the launch we have more than doubled the number of members of the group, moved locations as we have grown so much and created a legacy across the Society that has seen dozens of similar groups launch.
“I think the group has helped make a difference for all those who have been coming along and I am proud of being able to give something back to those who are going through difficult periods in their lives.”
The group in Sinfin is held fortnightly at the library in Sinfin District Centre, in Arleston Lane.
The group meets from 10am and more information is available by calling 01332 271088 or by just heading along to one of the meetings.
Find out more about Kate and the Forgot Me Not group by watching a specially created film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HAdsBiYuA
Notes to editors:
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £927million for 2016/17. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, 10 florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.
Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2017.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop