The Bereavement Journey

The Bereavement Journey

'The Bereavement Journey' is a UK based, well-established award-winning course from 'At a Loss' charity and is being run as a free seven-week film based course in St. Columba's, Midvale Road, for adults who have been bereaved either recently or some time ago. 

Held on Monday evenings 6.30-8.30pm, the course starts on 26th May through to the 7th of July. 

All of us at some point will face the death of someone close to us. Someone who was special or important to us is no longer alive and somehow, we must accept that and find new ways of coping. Through working together with people on the course, participants are welcome to contribute as they wish. This proven very helpful course is for people of all faiths or no faith with only the last optional session dealing with faith questions. By working together as a group, we discover the effects of bereavement which is a main contributor to many societal issues.

Bereavement support contributes positively to the health and wellbeing of individuals and society. Through understanding caring support, most people will learn to navigate their loss and come to a healthy place of new meaning and hope.

Church representatives have the knowledge, skills, training and experience to be of great significance in helping those bereaved to personally mark and celebrate the life of those special to them who have died. It is never too late to do good grief work!

For more information or to register your place on the Bereavement Journey course, contact Rev Carolann through St. Columba's website/call 730659

We realise that grief can be very painful and the Bereavement Journey has been designed to validate every person’s experience and help them feel safe. There is no expectation to say or do anything. Participants make their own decisions about what feels right for them and they do their own grief work.

To maximise the benefit, we recommend attendance at all the 6 main sessions and that a trusted person is found to check in with after each session.

The material ends with Session 6 and the 7th Session is optional for those who wish to explore spiritual questions which often arise in bereavement, or just listen to a Christian perspective. Feedback over the years is that this session helps people of all backgrounds, whatever their faith or none.

The Bereavement Journey was developed at Holy Trinity Brompton and is a tried and tested way to help people of any background bereaved in any way.  It offers 15 films to be used over 7 sessions, online or in person, usually offered weekly, and sometimes with a light meal or refreshments.  Participants do their own grief work, facilitated by volunteers. 

Topics include 

• Attachment, separation and loss
• The impact and pain of bereavement
• Anger and guilt
• Coping with others’ reactions
• Adjusting to change
• Delayed and suppressed grief
• Moving forward healthily 

Our current course running at St. Columba's is fully subscribed. If you would like to register for an upcoming course, please contact our Minister using one of the links below.