Pop In Bereavement Café
About Pop In Bereavement Café
Forest Holme Hospice Charity extends a warm invitation to those who have lost a loved one to join us at our Pop In Bereavement Café. Led by our committed support volunteers, this informal gathering is tailored for individuals further along their bereavement journey. If you are recently bereaved or you need to fit around work and family commitments, take a look at our Bereavement Café @Maravi.
Pop In Bereavement Café offers a comforting space to connect with others in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. The monthly gatherings provide an opportunity to meet new people, fostering friendships and social interactions that can bring comfort during difficult times. Beyond our regular meetings, we also organise social events such as afternoon tea, adding more opportunities for meaningful connections and shared experiences.
Whether you’re exploring feelings of grief or simply seeking supportive company, Pop In provides a supportive network where you can find the understanding and support you need.
We ensure that everyone who comes to the Pop In Bereavement Café, feels relaxed and benefits from meeting others with similar experiences over a cuppa and a slice of cake.
Tea, coffee, and refreshments are provided free of charge.
Join us
Pop In Bereavement Café is suitable from 3 months following a bereavement.
There is no need to book – simply come along and you will be met at the door by one of our experienced volunteers.
- First Monday of the month (excluding Bank Holidays, when it will be on the second Monday of the month)
- 2pm until 4pm
- SML Church Centre, Kingston Road, Poole BH15 2LP
SML Church Centre is situated opposite St Mary’s Church on Longfleet Road. There is limited free parking at the centre, with additional on street parking (maximum stay 2 hours).
Alternative parking is available at Poole Hospital multi-storey (charges apply).
We recognise that it isn’t always easy going to something like this on your own for the first time, so please feel free to contact us and we can arrange for you to meet with someone outside.
To find out more about Pop In Bereavement Café you can get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Pop In stories
Malcolm’s story
Hi, my name is Malcolm Kay. Not a lot of people know that I was born in London on the 24th May 1947 in the Borough of Camden. I was told by my mum that it was the hottest day of the year.
My school days were happy as far as I can remember, so at the age of 16 I joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet. It was an eye opener into a different world and it was not long before I was off to sea. Apart from learning to be come a 4th officer, I made a lot of tea and coffee. I am now a Master Mariner but I did give up the sea for a few years to look after my lovely Josephine.
I first came into contact with Forest Holme through the lovely nurse Pauline, who was a great help to me and my Josie. She was always there at the end of the phone and came to see us on a regular basis.
I first started at pop-in way back in 2020 – my Forest Holme counsellor was a great help to me she got me through a very difficult time. We meet on the first Monday of every month and we are a great bunch. Apart from all the tea and coffee and biscuits and cakes, you can talk about your situation or you can put the world to rights; it’s great to be part of this group.
The group has really helped me and I don’t feel alone and you can get things off your chest as there is always someone who will listen and help if needed. If you are considering attending the group, do not be apprehensive – come along and meet us. We do not bite and if we can help you, we will and that’s it, so take care out there and be safe.
Nino’s story
Hello everyone and hope you are all coping well during these difficult times with the pandemic and not always been able to see our close families.
My name is Giovanni D’Amico and I’m known as Nino since I was born. In September 2019, unexpectedly, I lost Jane, my wife of 46 years to lung cancer.
Jane passed away in Forest Holme. We have many trying times during our lives but the loss of our loved ones cannot be compared to anything we had or will experience in the future. The time of bereavement and subsequent grief takes over our lives and engulfs our entire existence, unable to function mentally and physically.
I’m grateful to Forest Holme for the support they provide in the way of two great services.
First the ‘Therapeutic Bereavement Support Group’, where I understood how to deal with my personal grief, and although the progression is different for everyone, what we feel is normal and somehow comforting that we are not alone in feeling this way. I have met, and made, new friends, and able to support each other unconditionally.
Secondly, the ‘Pop-In Group’ is a more relaxed get together, a way of being with people who have experienced the loss of a loved one, but informally chatting about anything and everything over a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake or two, served and looked after by wonderful volunteers.
A big thank you to all of you. It’s very difficult to deal with bereavement and grief and we all have our own different ways of managing, from sport to gardening, from joining social groups to learning new skills and hobbies.
Over the years I’ve always enjoyed writing, for my own pleasure mainly, and during this sad period of bereavement and grief I found comfort and solace in writing down feelings and emotions and anything else that comes to mind. I also enjoy writing poems.
