A new initiative in Swindon will provide free, informal bereavement support for residents.

Palliative care charity Sue Ryder is set to open its 'Grief Kind Space' in the town on October 14 in Village Hotel Swindon on the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park.

The space will offer peer-to-peer support for those who have experienced a loss.

Carrie Connolly, the area coordinator for Grief Kind Spaces in Wiltshire, hopes the project will help to alleviate the feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany bereavement.

"Almost every home in the UK has, or will experience the loss of someone, but Sue Ryder’s research has found that 86 per cent of people who had been bereaved said they felt alone in their grief," she said.

"Our Grief Kind Space in Swindon will offer a free, friendly, in-person drop-in session providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive place for anyone who has been bereaved to share their experiences of grief, helping them to feel heard and less alone."

Research carried out by the charity highlighted a significant demand for more informal bereavement support, leading to the creation of Grief Kind Spaces.

Ms Connolly added: "When we asked 8,500 bereaved people what type of support they wanted, they told us how important it was for them to be able to access more support within their communities.

"That’s why we’re starting to roll out Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces across the country, giving people who are grieving access to informal, in-person, peer-to-peer support.

"I hope through our Grief Kind Space here in Swindon, along with more Grief Kind Spaces opening across the country this year, we can meet this unfulfilled need."

The Swindon Grief Kind Space will take place every Monday from 10am to midday.

The space will be open to anyone over 18 who has experienced a bereavement, and there is no need to register or book in advance.

Ms Connolly said people are welcome "whether you want to attend regularly to connect with others in similar situations or drop in for a quick chat".

She continued: "Just pop in to receive a warm welcome from our team of trained volunteers, who are there to listen if you have experienced any kind of loss at any time."

Village Hotels Swindon general manager, Mark McMahon, added: “We are delighted to be able to support such an important service for the Swindon area."

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