A free morning, seven-week programme exploring the emotional, psychological and physical experience of grief.

Understanding Grief: A 7-Week Journey Together

A free, seven-week programme exploring the emotional, psychological and physical experience of grief.

When someone dies, grief can affect far more than our emotions. It can influence our thoughts, our bodies, our relationships, our daily routines and the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

This free seven-week programme offers a supportive space to learn more about grief, explore some of the experiences that can accompany bereavement, and discover practical ways to support yourself through difficult moments.

The programme uses the Kübler-Ross model as a framework for exploration, not as a set of stages that everyone must move through.

Grief isn't linear. You may experience some emotions, several at once, return to feelings you thought you'd moved through, or experience something completely different. There is no single 'right' way to grieve.

Across the seven weeks, we will explore:

Week 1 — Shock, denial and the protective brain

What's happening to me? Exploring some of the ways the mind and body can respond following a death.

Week 2 — Understanding grief and different types of grief

Why does grief look different for everyone? Exploring different grief experiences and responses.

Week 3 — Anger

Understanding anger and exploring ways of safely working with strong emotions.

Week 4 — Bargaining, guilt and 'if only'

Exploring regret, responsibility, unanswered questions and the search for explanations.

Week 5 — Sadness, depression and despair

Understanding the emotional and physical heaviness that grief can bring.

Week 6 — Acceptance and continuing bonds

Exploring what acceptance can mean without having to 'let go' of the person who died.

Week 7 — Self-care, rebuilding and moving forward

Bringing everything together and creating your own practical grief toolkit to use beyond the programme.

What you may take away

By the end of the programme, you may have:

A greater understanding of grief and how it can affect you emotionally, psychologically and physically

A better understanding of why grief can look so different from one person to another

Greater awareness of some common grief responses

Practical tools to support you through difficult emotions and day-to-day life

The opportunity to connect with others who have experienced bereavement

Your own personal collection of tools and resources to draw on beyond the programme

Each programme is limited to 10 participants, allowing time for discussion, reflection and connection within a smaller group.

The programme is free, thanks to funding from Medway Council.

DATES AND TIMES

Starting 5th January for 7 weeks on the following dates:

5th January, 12th January, 19th January, 26th January, 2nd February, 9th February and 16th February

Each workshop will be for 2 hours - 9:30am-11:30am

Please read before booking

This programme is designed as a psychoeducational and peer-support programme. It is not counselling, psychotherapy or crisis support.

You will never be required to share personal details about your bereavement. You can choose how much you participate in discussions and activities.

Because this is a seven-week programme, places are limited and we ask that you only register if you can do your utmost to attend all seven sessions. Consistent attendance helps create continuity and connection within the group.

As this programme has been funded to evaluate its impact, participants will also be asked to complete a short feedback form at the end of each session, as well as an evaluation at the end of the seven weeks. Your feedback will help us understand what was useful, what could be improved and the difference the programme made.

Your individual responses will be treated confidentially and used for programme evaluation in accordance with our privacy arrangements.

If you are currently experiencing a crisis or feel that a group programme would not provide the level of support you need, please seek appropriate individual professional support before registering.

Description supplied by the event organiser.