Grief Encounters is our peer support group for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced a bereavement. The group runs for 6 weeks and is led by experienced LGBTQ+ practitioners.
Due to the pandemic our Grief Encounters group was temporarily suspended. We are really pleased to now be in a position to offer this support again, starting in the New Year, running the group online through the video conferencing software Zoom.
Grief Encounters is a peer support group which provides a confidential, safe and supportive space to explore our grief. This group is open to all members of our community whatever your age, circumstances and whether your loss was recent or some years ago. Our losses can include the loss of wives, husbands and partners, and also the loss of parents, family members, friends and colleagues.
There is currently no LGBTQ specific support group for those of us who have been bereaved. LGBTQ people can face a number of additional challenges and stressors as well as the universal experience of grief, pain and sadness. Many people have reported experiences of homophobia (trans/bi/queerphobia). These have included a failure to acknowledge our relationships, estrangement from our families, legal and financial issues, being excluded from discussions and decision being made by family members and health care professionals.
Interested?
If you would like to discuss your possible involvement please email Jackie, Switchboard’s Grief Encounters Development Worker, at [email protected].
The following dates are available to arrange a Zoom discussion meeting:
Tuesday 1st, 8th & 15th December between 5pm-7pm
Wednesday 2nd, 9th & 16th December between 5pm-7pm
Course Dates
The group will run weekly on Thursday evenings for six weeks. Full attendance is expected for all 6 sessions.
Thursday 4th February – Thursday 11th March 2021.
To find out more about the project please visit the Grief Encounters page on our website.