Alex Cann

6:30am - 10:00am

Email the studio

Diana Ross

Upside Down

Listen Live Podcasts

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust launches new bereavement support group

Thursday, 25 July 2024 17:23

The Airedale Hospital chaplaincy team

The Chaplaincy team at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is launching a new bereavement support group for members of the local community.

Starting on 7 August 2024, the Connections support group will meet on the first Wednesday of every month between 2-3:30pm in the restaurant at Airedale Hospital.

Connections is open to anyone who has experienced loss, no matter how recent, and wants to meet others who have gone through something similar.

The Trust’s Lead Chaplain, Liz Maitland, said:

“In Chaplaincy, we meet so many people who have been bereaved and are trying to navigate their way through this big change in their life.

“We found that a lot of people were keen to share their stories so we wanted to offer a safe and informal space where people could get together with others who are going through something similar, share their experiences and support each other.

“We hope that friendships are formed within the group that can help attendees find a way forward and feel supported.”

Attendees can purchase a hot drink in the hospital restaurant, connect with others, learn about local support available to them and meet members of the Chaplaincy team.

The Chaplaincy team would like the group to be shaped by its members and is open to suggestions about what they would like to see in future meetings, including any guest speakers or activities.

Connections is open to people of all faiths and none and there is no need to book or come to every meeting, just turn up on the day.

Support is available for people with accessibility needs or who may be anxious about joining a new group:

“We recognise that joining a new group can be daunting but we’re always happy to have a chat beforehand or meet people at the main entrance if they are nervous about finding their way through the hospital,” says Liz.

“We can also provide wheelchair support if arranged prior to the meeting.”

If you would like to get in touch or find out more, please contact Liz via email at Elizabeth.maitland@nhs.net or phone the Chaplaincy office on 01535 294088.

More from Local news

Strong A Level performance celebrated by county’s schools

Students across North Yorkshire are celebrating after receiving their A Level, BTEC and T Level results today (Thursday).
Main section of A59 Kex Gill route set to open 'within weeks'

The main section of the new A59 Kex Gill route between Harrogate and Skipton is set to open within weeks.
Successful launch for Craven Court's new independent bookshop

A new independent bookshop has celebrated a successful first week in Skipton town centre.
Free family music workshops coming to Skipton this weekend

Families are being invited to take part in a series of free music workshops in Skipton this weekend.
Skipton streets targeted in £27,500 chewing gum clean-up

Busy areas of Skipton are set to receive a chewing gum clean-up after North Yorkshire Council secured £27,500 in new funding.
Police invite residents' views on Skipton Bus Station

Police are inviting residents to have their say on anti-social behaviour at Skipton Bus Station.
Rise in number of children in care contributes to Council's £10m overspend forecast

Costs due to a rise in the number of children in care has contributed to North Yorkshire Council forecasting a £10m overspend for the financial year.
Skipton coffee company celebrates top Great Taste award

Skipton-based Coffee Care is celebrating after receiving a coveted three-star Great Taste award for the third time.
Teenagers sentenced after terrifying knife-point robbery in Skipton

Two Keighley teenagers have been handed suspended prison sentences after luring a classmate to a Skipton park before threatening him with a knife, beating him and stealing more than £800.
North Yorkshire schools set for £6.8m improvement programme

School buildings across North Yorkshire could benefit from a £6.8 million programme of improvements as the council looks to tackle a growing backlog of repairs.
Skipton Business Awards finalists revealed after more than 1,200 nominations

Skipton BID has announced this year's Business Awards finalists after more than 1,200 nominations.
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC

Children across Yorkshire are being invited to nominate an adult in their life to be covered in slime live on CBBC.
Fresh calls for school transport changes to be abandoned amid claim council is ignoring own policy

North Yorkshire Council is facing fresh calls to abandon its controversial new home-to-school policy after it emerged that the authority was not following its own rules on how to assess eligibility.
Funding agreed to progress work on Skipton leisure hub redevelopments

North Yorkshire Council has approved the release of £360,000 to progress plans redevelop two leisure centres.
Community rallies to help elderly driver find 'missing' car in Skipton

The Skipton community has been thanked for rallying together to help an elderly driver find his car after he forgot where he had parked it.
Dales Dazzler trail running event returns to Skipton

Runners are set to take on some of the Yorkshire Dales’ most scenic trails when the Punk Panther Dales Dazzler returns to Skipton later this month.
Everything you need to know about Skipton Pride this weekend

Skipton Pride returns tomorrow (Saturday 8th August) for a day of live music, drag performances and family-friendly entertainment.
Police appeal after driver forgets where car was parked in Skipton

A police appeal has been launched after the owner of a car forgot where it was parked in Skipton.
Shoplifter caught trying to dump stolen goods in Skipton bin

A man has been remanded in custody after allegedly trying to dispose of stolen goods in a rubbish bin while being watched by police in Skipton.
Councillor breaks national fundraising record with charity head shave

A North Yorkshire councillor has broken national records by raising more than £17,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support after having head and beard shaved.