A welcoming gathering to reflect and talk about grief, share a cuppa, get creative and connect with others at Flourish Club Cafe.

You don’t have to carry grief alone.

Losing someone we love can be one of life’s most difficult experiences. Whether we’re grieving the death of a family member, a friend or a beloved pet, grief can affect us in ways we might not expect. It can leave us feeling isolated, overwhelmed or unsure how to make sense of what we’re experiencing.

Sometimes, what we need most is a little time, a listening ear and the comfort of being around people who understand.

This National Grief Awareness Week, The Retreat Clinics warmly invite you to Let’s Talk Grief - a relaxed, friendly and welcoming gathering at Flourish Club Café in York.

Come along, share a cuppa, listen to a talk about grief, take part in a creative activity and connect with others who have experienced grief and loss.

There is no pressure to talk or share your personal story. You are welcome to simply listen, reflect or enjoy being part of a supportive community.

Opening up conversations about grief

Let’s Talk Grief with Anne Webster, Psychotherapist at The Retreat Clinics

Grief is something many of us will experience, yet talking about death, dying and loss can still feel difficult. We may worry about upsetting others, struggle to find the right words or feel that we should be coping differently.

To understand a little more about how we can support ourselves, and others when experiencing loss, Anne Webster, Psychotherapist at The Retreat Clinics will share a talk exploring:

What we might experience when we're grieving.

Ways to support ourselves through grief and loss.

How we can support friends and family who are grieving.

How to open up conversations about grief with children and young adults.

Where to find local support and helpful resources.

Grief has no single pattern or timetable. It can affect our emotions, our bodies, our sleep, our relationships and our everyday lives. It can bring sadness, shock, confusion, loneliness and unexpected moments of comfort. Sometimes, one loss can bring other memories and feelings of loss back to the surface, too.

There is no need to be strong all the time, and there is no deadline for finding your way forward. Talking about grief, sharing experiences and allowing others to support us can help us feel less alone.

As The Good Grief Trust’s campaign reminds us, after goodbye, we remain connected by a thread of hope.

We may not be able to change the loss we have experienced, but we can create spaces where people feel seen, heard and supported.

Weaving a Thread of Hope

As part of The Good Grief Trust’s A Thread of Hope campaign, we’ll be taking part in a simple, creative activity to help us reflect on the people, memories and connections that continue to matter to us.

Over a cuppa, you’ll have the opportunity to decorate a craft leaf with a drawing, a word, a message or a memory.

You might choose to:

Honour someone special.

Capture a feeling or precious memory.

Write a message of hope.

Express something that’s difficult to put into words.

Each leaf will have a ribbon attached so it can be hung on a Christmas tree, bringing together individual expressions of remembrance, love and hope into a shared symbol of connection - our family roots, the people and support that surround us, and the roots that ground us and give us strength.

Every leaf will be different, just as every experience of grief is different. Together, they represent the threads that connect us - to the people we miss, to our memories and to one another.

You don’t need to be artistic or know what to create. Sometimes, a small mark, a colour or a single word can say enough.

A welcoming space for everyone

You are welcome whether your loss is more recent or happened many years ago, whether you feel ready to talk or would simply like to listen.

There is no expectation to share your story and no right or wrong way to feel. Grief can bring up a range of emotions, and that's okay. If you need a moment away from the group, a quiet space will be available.

Please note: This event is open to adults aged 18 and over. It is an informal community gathering, not a therapy group or a substitute for individual bereavement support.

We recognise that attending a public gathering may feel particularly difficult if your loss is very recent or you feel you would be too distressed in a group setting. If this is the case, you can reach out to someone atCruse Bereavement Support (https://www.cruse.org.uk/), online or by phone, who will respond as quickly as they can.

We will also share information about further sources of support available in York and online, including services for adults, children and young people.

About The Retreat Clinics

The Retreat Clinics provide personalised therapeutic mental health support in York and online for adults, children, young people, couples and families.

Our team of qualified therapists, psychologists and counsellor

Description supplied by the event organiser.