Sue Ryder searches for volunteers across the West Midlands to support new service for those grieving

Following the successful launch of Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces in other parts of the West Midlands, including Smethwick, the charity, which supports people through the most difficult times of their lives, whether that’s a terminal illness or the death of a loved one, is now teaming up with Village Hotel Club Dudley, Walsall and Solihull to launch new weekly Grief Kind Spaces from September 2024.

To get the initiative off the ground, the charity needs local volunteers who would be willing to listen and support people in their own communities who are grieving and need more support.

Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Spaces will be free weekly drop-in sessions, run by trained volunteers who will provide a safe and supportive space for people who have experienced a bereavement to come together. Sue Ryder hopes the Grief Kind Spaces will go some way to reducing the isolation and loneliness experienced by people after somebody close to them has died.

Commenting on the need for volunteers to come forward and support the service, Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Spaces Area Coordinator, Jayne Purshall said, “Almost every home in the UK has, or will experience the death of someone. Yet, our research tells us two out of three people who are grieving are still not getting the support they need.

“We spoke to 8,500 people who have been bereaved and many of them told us the support they really wanted was to meet and talk to others who had also been bereaved. That’s why we’re launching our Grief Kind Spaces.

“However, to open Grief Kind Space’s in these areas across the West Midlands, we need local residents to volunteer with us. All volunteers joining us will be offered training which will equip them in their role.

"If you are interested in joining us in bringing Grief Kind Spaces to Dudley, Solihull and Walsall, please get in touch. You don't need to have experience or have done anything like this before - just have a willingness to support others.”

The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space in Dudley will be held at Village Hotel Club Dudley, Castlegate Park, Birmingham Road, whilst the space in Solihull will take place at Village Hotel Club Solihull, The Green Business Park, Dog Kennell Lane, Shirley and the Walsall space will be held at Village Hotel Club Walsall, Tempus Drive, Walsall. These will be community services offering a trusted, safe place for local people to meet and talk about their bereavement.

To register your interest in becoming a Grief Kind volunteer in Dudley, Solihull or Walsall please email [email protected] or visit sueryder.org/GKVolunteer.

For anyone who is grieving, Sue Ryder offers free online support at sueryder.org/grief

Further details on Dudley, Solihull and Walsall’s Grief Kind Space will be shared in due course.