In Rushcliffe, there was a significant need for bereavement support, as traditional avenues were difficult to access and mainstream services lacked specialised assistance.
To address this, Rushcliffe Social Prescribers established support groups offering solace, understanding, and companionship. These peer groups, developed from lived experiences, help participants find strength in shared vulnerability.
Mel Watson (photo right), 76, from East Leake, has attended for 18 months after losing his wife. Previously suicidal and depressed, he found the group transformative. Mel said: “The support has been wonderful; I’ve made genuine friends. My family is pleased I get so much from it.”
The groups, run by empathetic Social Prescribers who have experienced loss, allow open, pressure-free discussions. Mel considers the facilitators friends who he can confide in, recalling how a hug from Jackie helped him on the anniversary of his wife’s death.
Mel highly recommends the group to anyone experiencing loss. The support groups meet in Keyworth on the 1st Wednesday and in West Bridgford on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
For more details, contact [email protected].