When someone is bereaved, it is normal for them to grieve for a period of time, and on the whole people re-adjust to their loss without professional intervention. However, some people may require more support and help especially if the death was complicated, difficult or sudden. Complex grief always needs to be referred for counselling and the signs to look out for include excessive withdrawal, depression, not attending to personal basic needs such as eating, washing, alcohol and/or drug abuse etc.
Most bereavement services have a waiting list, and they do not generally offer counselling immediately after the death, as it is recognised that people need to do some of the grieving before counselling will be of any benefit to them. However, if any of the symptoms above are noted, an urgent appointment should be made with the GP.
GPs also have access to counselling services which includes bereavement support.
There a range of services available and these are detailed under the three locality areas in West Kent:
1. Maidstone
2. Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells
3. Dartford, and Gravesend
1. Maidstone Locality
Family Support Unit (Heart of Kent Hospice):
Available to carers and families of Hospice patients.
Contact:
Tel: 01622 792200
Brighter Futures in collaboration with Age Concern (01622 753618) and MIND Maidstone:
Offer a counselling service for people over the age of 50 which includes bereavement counselling. This is 6-10 fifty minutes sessions free of charge.
Contact:
Brighter Futures: Tel: 01622 762403
Age Concern: Tel: 01622 753618
Cruse Bereavement Service:
Offer a free bereavement counselling service. Self referrals are accepted.
Contact:
Tel: 01622 671011
E-Mail: office@maidstonecruse.fsnet.co.uk
Slideaway:
Bereavement support service for children and young people in Maidstone and Malling area. They work closely with schools.
Contact:
Tel: 07970 597715
E-mail: louisewebster@slideaway.org
Holding On and Letting Go:
Bereavement support service for children and young people in Kent.
Contact:
Tel: 08445 611511
E.mail: info@holdingonlettinggo.org.uk
Oncology Counselling Centre
Available to patients/ family under the care of the Oncology Service at Kent Oncology Centre.
Contact:
Tel: 01622 224082
Crossline Christian Counselling Service:
Offer Counselling including bereavement Support. No fees are charged, but a small donation is suggested.
Contact:
Tel: 01622 754447
2. Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells
Hospice in the Weald Bereavement Service:
Available to carers and families of Hospice patients.
Contact:
Tel: 01892 820500
Abbey Funeral Services in Tonbridge:
A Christian family-run business which organises a group at Tonbridge Methodist Church, 3rd Friday of each month.
Contact:
Tel: 01732 360328
St Augustine’s Church, Tunbridge Wells bereavement support group:
Primarily for Catholics.
Contact:
Tel: 01892 522525
Cruse Bereavement Counselling:
Offer a free bereavement counselling service. Self referrals are accepted.
Contact:
01732 353575.
Christian Counselling, Sevenoaks:
Free counselling service including bereavement counselling. Clients pay as much as they can afford.
Contact:
Tel: 01732 450118.
Two by two trust:
A Christian charitable counselling service. There is a standard cost, but there is a bursary system to support people with financial constraints.
Contact:
Tel: 01892 539758
Holding on and Letting Go:
Bereavement support service for children and young people in Kent.
Contact:
Tel: 08445 611511
E.mail: info@holdingonlettinggo.org.uk
Oncology Counselling Centre
Available to patients/ family under the care of the Oncology Service at Kent Oncology Centre.
Contact: Tel: 01622 224082
3. Dartford and Gravesham locality
Ellenorlions Hospices Bereavement Care Service:
Available to carers and families of Hospice patients.
Contact:
Tel: 01322 221315
Cruse Bereavement Service:
Offer a free bereavement counselling service. Self referrals are accepted.
Contact:
Tel: 01474 360690
Holding On and Letting Go:
Bereavement support service for children and young people in Kent.
Contact:
Tel: 08445 611511
E.mail: info@holdingonlettinggo.org.uk
Oasis Counselling Centre:
Christian Counselling Service including bereavement counselling. There is a small subsidised charge.
Contact:
01322 294430
info@oasisdartford.org.uk
The Well Counselling Centre:
Christian Counselling service, including bereavement counselling. Small donation suggested.
Contact:
Tel: 01322 279759
Oncology Counselling Centre
Available to patients/ family under the care of the Oncology Service at Kent Oncology Centre.
Contact:
Tel: 01622 224082
