Local Age UK launches practical new bereavement service in Brighton & Hove

On October 3rd, Age UK West, Sussex, Brighton & Hove is launching a new bereavement service for people aged 50+ living in Brighton & Hove. Referrals can be made immediately to the service, which aims to offer practical advice and emotional support to those who have lost a loved one, helping them navigate the paperwork, cope with their grief and live independently.

The charity will be able to give advice on funeral grants and benefits, make referrals to bereavement counselling and signpost on to additional services to help people remain connected and independent. The service is for anyone who needs it, regardless of time passed since their bereavement.

Rowan Hillier, Senior Development Manager at Age UK WSBH said “Grief and bereavement is at the top of many people’s minds at the moment following the very sad death of Her Majesty the Queen last week. Some people are finding that the Queen’s death is intensifying the grief they feel for their own personal losses as the Nation mourns together."

“Our new service is practical, helping people based on their individual needs. As well as assisting with things like registering a death and planning a funeral, it also helps people get back on their feet after the shock of a bereavement and learn skills they might need now their loved one, often a partner, has died. For example, in some couples one person might do all the cooking, or all the finances. These are things that can feel overwhelming to the person left behind. We want to be there when people need someone to turn to, so they don’t become isolated as they grieve.”

The service can support with registering a death, funerals plans, benefits/taxes and money, grief counselling, helping people get re-engaged with the community or social groups and helping people become independent (supporting them to get on top of finances, get online, deal with shopping/cooking).

Although the service starts on October 3rd, referrals can be made immediately.

To find out more, or to access the service, please call 0800 019 1310 or email: bereavement.service@ageukwsbh.org.uk