Bereavement support is available this Xmas

THE national palliative care and bereavement charity, Sue Ryder, is reminding those in Dumfries and Galloway that its Online Bereavement Community is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the festive period for anyone who might be experiencing grief.

For many, Christmas can be an especially difficult time, with feelings of grief and loneliness intensifying and with some other bereavement services operating reduced hours or closing.

The Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Community provides free, peer-to-peer support, allowing people who are grieving or caring for someone at the end of their life to share feelings, exchange messages and connect with others.

Spokesperson Seaneen Molloy said: “This year, we are marking 10 years of our Online Bereavement Community. Over the past decade, it has offered comfort, connection and understanding for thousands of bereaved people.

“Grief doesn’t stop at Christmas. Our online community is there day and night, offering people a safe space to talk and connect with others. No one should feel they have to face grief alone this Christmas, and the support our members generously give and receive each day is what makes the community so special. In fact, 72% of our members say the community helps them feel less alone.”

Sue Ryder is encouraging anyone who is struggling with grief this Christmas, or who know someone who is, to visit the Online Bereavement Community for support: sueryder.org/FindSupport