Bereavement Service

Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills have launched a brand new service for those who have been bereaved. 

Specially trained and screened volunteers will provide a trusted and listening ear, chatting on the phone, or as restrictions allow regularly visiting people who have been bereaved.  They will also help people stay socially connected by accompanying them to various activities.  In addition, they will connect people to other services including Age UK and to bereavement counselling and other local specialist support groups.

The service is a joint initiative in partnership with Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest and with local hospices including St Richard’s, Primrose and KEMP hospices.

As Clare Thomas, CEO of Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills says:

“Coping with the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things we ever have to deal with. The current COVID 19 restrictions have made this even harder, adding to the sense of isolation and loss. Just having someone to talk to can often help”.

We have been receiving an increasing number of calls for help from people in this situation – those either bereaved before or during the pandemic.  We already have a busy and successful befriending service run with the help of dozens and dozens of dedicated volunteers and so we knew that we could do something to help.  We were delighted when the local hospices also offered to join with us.

We hope that over the coming very difficult months that we can provide at least some comfort.

Thanks to support of funders including the National Lottery, Independent Age and local Councils we are able to offer this service free of charge.  It is open to anyone who has been bereaved, whether recently or some time ago.