Reflections from Grief Awareness Week 2025
Reach and Connect supported residents who have been bereaved and/or experienced Loss by bringing together a programme of events across Haringey in a wide variety of settings and also creating a useful new resource
End of life Doulas visited Bedale Conversation Café, chatted with local residents and shared information about what they do which engaged and enthralled those present.
Shared Reading Groups across the Borough both in Libraries and Supported Housing read Literature around Love and Loss.
At Palm Court the group read a poem called Losses by Wendy Mc Nair and the members shared memories of much-loved mothers and grandmothers.
At Abyssinia Court one group member, prompted by the Short Stories by Heba Hayek and The Immigrant’s song by Tishani Doshi that were read, said it was exactly what she needed as she was grieving, having lost a number of people in her life recently.
At one of the Grief Walks led by Friends of Tottenham Cemetery one walker shared “ I can’t describe how much I appreciated your gentle listening and hearing my grief that’s been suppressed, yet waiting to come out somehow in some good ways”
In addition to the above Grief Circles and Grief Support Groups also took place at a Community Centre, Libraries and at a Funeral Directors.
In the run up to the week one Connector and an End Of life Doula hosted a conversation at the monthly Carers First meeting at The Engine Room (here Carers among many other topics were able to have a space to express their concerns for the family members they care for who will survive them)
Reach and Connect also held a very powerful One Day Workshop with Haringey Homes staff during the week. Connectors learned how staff members go above and beyond in the practical and emotional support they offer residents and their loved ones, at the same time as facilitating activities that enabled staff to raise awareness of their own needs in carrying out this vital service for their residents and their relatives at the End of Life.
Downloads
Many of the groups you see in this programme continue throughout the year (see contact information) and if you have been affected by Loss please see our Grief/Bereavement Resource in link below for support.
