Thanks to Faithfully Ageing Better’s new series of events called GraveTalk, the often taboo subjects of death, dying, grief and funerals are being brought into the open.
Faithfully Ageing Better is run by Together Middlesbrough and Cleveland and commissioned by Ageing Better Middlesbrough – a Big Lottery Funded programme, aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation for people who are aged 50 and over in Middlesbrough.
Starting next week, 3 May, the GraveTalk sessions are set up in the style of a café with question cards on tables as a prompt for group discussion. Everyone is invited.
Maddy Fisher, Faithfully Ageing Better Worker, said: “We set up GraveTalk because we found there was a lack of ongoing support for the people we met who had been bereaved in Middlesbrough. We wanted to give these people a chance to get together to talk about how they were feeling and to let people know that churches are here to support them at this time.
“The sessions are not just for those who have lost loved ones, and despite death and dying often being taboo topics, those who have attended sessions have described them as thought-provoking, reassuring and even uplifting.
“Thanks to all of the churches and organisations for providing a safe and informal space for people to meet and use the GraveTalk resources.”
All sessions are facilitated by trained listeners and Ageing Better Middlesbrough staff, and people who attend will be supported in talking about these important subjects. The sessions are for people of all faiths and none.
Join Faithfully Ageing Better for GraveTalk on:
Thursday 3 May, 10.30am at St Cuthbert’s Church, Ormesby, TS3 0HB
Thursday 7 June, 1.30pm at The Hope Foundation, Grange Road, TS1 5BA
Monday 9 July, 7pm The Beacon, Langdon Square, Coulby Newham, TS8 0TF
Tuesday 11 September, 1.30pm at Nunthorpe Methodist Church, Connaught Road, TS7 0BP
Wednesday 14 November, 7pm at St Barnabas Church, Linthorpe, TS5 8EU
For further information please contact Maddy Fisher by email: maddy.fisher@togethermc.org or by phone: 07532 744924
Find out more about Ageing Better Middlesbrough at www.ageingbettermiddlesbrough.org.uk