The Bereavement Café
Support for All
It’s essential to acknowledge that now more than ever, there’s a need for peer-to-peer support in times of grief. We must remove the stigma associated with discussions on death and dying.
In recent years, many have faced the harsh realities of social restrictions, preventing them from sharing those precious final moments with their loved ones.
These circumstances have resulted in an abundance of unsaid words and unshared emotions between loved ones and friends who typically provide support in these difficult times.
Just like me, many are grappling with the stress and anxiety of pent-up emotions that we are ill-prepared to handle. If ignored, these unresolved issues can drive some down harmful paths in their attempts to cope, leading to issues like depression, substance abuse, self-harm, gambling, and other damaging behaviours.
The Bereavement Café isn’t solely for those mourning the loss of loved ones. We also welcome those who are in charge of the welfare of children and young adults. Please reach out to see how we can assist in providing training to equip these young minds with strategies to manage the grieving process more smoothly.
Join us, grab a drink, and we’ll be here, eager to meet you.
Hello, I’m Jane.
The sudden loss of my husband in 2018 left me and my children in a whirlwind of grief and confusion. That first year was a haze of administrative tasks, an endless flow of tears, and a constant adjustment to the daily changes life threw at us. Celebrating special days and anniversaries only brought more tears as we tried to navigate through what others termed our “New Normal”. We floundered.
Despite the known fact that 1 in 29 children experience the loss of a parent or sibling before they reach 16, the support my children received at their school was minimal.
This realisation pushed me to seek answers. I decided to invest in training, aiming to understand how we could better help children in their grief journey. It was a personal endeavour, as I still had my grieving children to care for. But it also became a platform for advocacy. I felt compelled to shed light on the lack of sufficient bereavement support in schools and other child-care services.
In sharing our story and the heartache we experienced, I hope to inspire others to enhance their understanding and knowledge about grief.
As I delved deeper, I discovered that the struggle for support extended beyond just children. Every person I met had a tale about their own grief, or about someone they knew who was unable to find the support they needed in their time of loss.
These experiences culminated in the creation of The Bereavement Café, a space dedicated to providing much-needed support for those dealing with grief.
The Bereavement Café Services
Pop-up Cafés
Creating welcoming spaces for those coping with loss to gather, share their stories, and find comfort in shared experiences.
Grief Awareness Workshops
Designed to help individuals, schools, and businesses understand and better support those navigating the complex journey of grief and loss.
Youth Bereavement Cafés
We provide support to children dealing with grief through our Youth Cafes, located within their learning environments. These weekly group sessions help them understand and express their emotions.
Living with Loss Workshops
Designed to provide guidance and strategies for individuals who are learning to navigate daily life amidst the deep sorrow of losing a loved one.
5 week Group Workshop
Support & Listening Service
A safe space where individuals can openly share their feelings and experiences of loss, and receive empathetic support from others who understand their journey.
One to One Listening
We recognise the healing power of being heard and understood, which is why we provide dedicated one-on-one listening sessions.
Fresh Coffee & a Chat
We are not a counselling service. All staff and Volunteers are trained and skilled in Understanding Grief, Bereavement and Loss, coupled with their own individual lived experiences of bereavement enhances the value of their support and understanding in this unique setting.