Newton Abbot bereavement group to open
The first meeting will be in June
Newton Abbot Town Council is supporting the start of a new bereavement support group.
The first meeting is due to take place at The Courtenay Centre 10.30am – 12pm on Thursday June 18 and is the initiative of 77-year-old former social worker, Dorothy Martin, whose husband John died in 2024.
Having found her own grief overwhelming, Dorothy sought help from a support group in Teignmouth.
The decision transformed her life and generated the desire to ensure others could benefit from something similar.
She said: "It did me such good, it was wonderful, it saved me really.
"I thought that I’ve just got to share this. I know the loneliness bereavement creates, I know the feeling that no one can help.
"I was talking recently with a funeral director who said that support like this is so needed.
"Whatever time I have left I just want to ensure that I use it wisely and for the benefit of others."
The Newton Abbot Bereavement Support Group will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month, at The Courtenay Centre, with room hire charges covered by the Town Council for the first three months.
Dorothy, now a Bereavement Listener for Rowcroft Hospice, added: "The role of the group is to help people understand they are not alone, to talk through, in a very gentle way, ways we can move forward in our grief, with time for a hot drink and biscuit and a little socialisation.
"We look forward to hearing from you, meeting with you and helping you as we share information on the grief journey to enable us to move forward in a way our loved one would have us go."
Anyone thinking the group might be of help to them is asked to call 07793 726025 and leave a message.
A leader will call back and provide further information, answer questions and offer an invitation to the next meeting.
Dorothy is also hoping to attract support from retired professionals, who could take the number of group leaders to four.