Wathall’s runs Dandelions Bereavement Support, led by Fay Bloor, the company’s Bereavement Support Coordinator and a trained counsellor. The service offers four free group meetings each month, alongside one-to-one counselling sessions in Derby.
Fay said: “Some very firm friendships have been made from people attending Dandelions Bereavement Support.
“People come together to talk about their grief and how it feels to lose a loved one, finding comfort from the groups.
“Our relaxed meetings give people the chance to share their feelings with others in a similar situation, which can sometimes be easier than talking to friends and family – particularly if those around them are navigating their own grief.”
A service launched to support Derby families
Dandelions Bereavement Support launched in 2014 and was set up by Wathall’s Managing Director, Helen Wathall MBE, after recognising many families needed ongoing support following a bereavement.
Helen said: “Families would come to us to arrange a funeral, and I very quickly realised that they needed more help. It appeared that families were looking for on-going advice and I wanted to do more to support their grief journey.
“I chatted with my team and we set up Dandelions Bereavement Support.”
Fay now runs the groups with support from Sarah Legg, a counsellor at Wathall’s, and Helen’s daughter, Charlotte Wathall.
She added: “Dandelions Bereavement Support has grown so much and as a service we have had to expand multiple times.
“We now run four meetings a month and these are well attended. Over the years, it has been really lovely to see friendships made and people making positive adjustments in their lives.
“Every meeting, we give people the opportunity to talk about their loss, openly and freely, and the groups provide peer support and empathy to help everyone feel less alone.”
No booking needed – just turn up
You don’t need to book in advance to attend. The groups run at the same time every month, and new attendees are welcome.
Ashbourne Dandelions
First Wednesday of the month, 1.30pm–3pm
Minor Hall, Ashbourne Leisure Centre, Clifton Road, Ashbourne
Derby Dandelions
Second and last Tuesday of each month, 1.30pm–3.30pm
St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Street, Derby
Evening Dandelions (Derby)
First Tuesday of the month, 6pm–8pm
Derby Rugby Club, Haslam’s Lane, Derby
More information
For more information about the bereavement support services available at Wathall’s, contact Fay by email at fay.bloor@wathalls.co.uk or visit Wathall’s.