MORE than 100 people, including St Albans MP Kerry Pollard, Mayor of St Albans Keith Stammers and the Mayor of Harpenden Albert Pawle, attended the launch of St Albans & District Bereavement Network.
The new bereavement service opened on Monday, March 31, to help people living in and around St Albans to cope with the death of a loved one, close relative or friend.
Anyone can contact the charity on its dedicated phone line 01727 841841 if they want to talk in confidence about their grief with a trained volunteer. A directory of specialist bereavement help available locally and nationally is also due to be published.
Established by Dr Mary Grove who practiced at Midway Surgery, in St Albans for 20 years and her husband Mr Colin Rowe, the network will also provide trained volunteers and counsellors to talk face-to-face with bereaved people.
Dr Grove said: "We've been told by local GPs, members of the clergy, funeral directors, school staff and the community at large that there is a desperate need for this service, hence the reason for setting it up. Most people need someone who can listen sensitively to their needs."
Although voluntary counsellors work at Grove House, they can only deal with cancer-related bereavement. St Albans & District Bereavement Network plans to work with the team and Cruse bereavement services in Hertfordshire.
The network, made up of volunteers trained by Bereavement Loss and Training Support and professional counsellors, needs around £25,000 a year to fund the service.
The network will receive a £6,000 grant for its first three years from Hertfordshire Community Foundation. Awards for All has given the group £4,000 to set up its office and St Albans Round Table has promised to give the group £1,000.
Donations have also been made by charities and church groups across the district.
Bereavement counsellor Jim Miller is running the London Marathon on Sunday to raise funds for the network but more sponsors are needed.
Anyone who can help run the service or help with fundraising should write to St Albans City & District Bereavement Network, PO Box 671, St Albans AL1 3ZX or call 01727 841841.
April 8, 2003 09:30
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