Why does Grief create distance? Part 2

Why does Grief create distance? Part 2

Join us, and fellow community members, at The Bereavement Café to explore why grief can make us feel so isolated and distant from others!

By Fiona Reynolds, Loss and Bereavement Counsellor

Date and time

Sun, 8 Jun 2025 18:30 - 20:30 GMT+1.

Location

The Octagon

120 Central Parade New Addington CR0 0JW United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

Agenda

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Hot drinks and snacks

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Making space for grief: general talk and sharing about grief experiences

The Bereavement Cafe helps to "make a space for grief" by offering a place to normalise grief and encourage persons to speak freely without feeling the need to protect others from discomfort.

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Presentation: Why does Grief create distance? Part 2

Fiona Reynolds, Loss & Bereavement Specialist

To continue the discussion, Part 2 dives more deeply into relationships and personal changes experienced in grief that contribute to feeling distanced from everyone. We will examine the statement...

8:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Q&A and Final thoughts

An opportunity to take the floor! All questions are valid! Whether you need more clarity after the presentation or you've been holding on to a niggling concern this is a great opportunity to gain a...

About this event

  • Free venue parking

Why does Grief create distance? Part 2

Come join us at The Octagon for the second of our 2-part discussion exploring the complex process of grief and how it can sometimes create distance among friends, family and the community.

In this part of our discussion we'll look at the impact Grief has on our relationships, looking at our emotional and psychological changes and how distance occurs through misunderstandings and differing coping mechanisms. We will discuss how this builds barriers which get in the way of good grief support.

By developing a deeper understanding of effective communal support, we aim to facilitate more compassionate interactions in times of grief, fostering stronger and more sustainable bonds that support our grief journeys.

The Bereavement Café in collaboration with New Addington Pathfinders, presents a space for reflection, discussion and healing. We gather monthly to listen and share experiences and understandings of grief as a lived experience. We also have a presentation on a new topic related to grief every month. Together, we explore the grief process and how it can lead to personal growth and recovery.

Date: May 1st 2025

Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (doors open 6pm)

Location: The Octagon, Central Parade, New Addington

This in-person event will feature open discussions, personal stories, and strategies for navigating through grief in a healthy way. Whether you're currently experiencing grief or simply want to learn more, this event is for everyone. Let's come together to support one another and find ways to bridge the gap that grief can create.

Frequently asked questions

How often do you meet?

This is an informal gathering scheduled for every 1st Thursday of the month.

Why do I need to register?

We are using a community space and have to monitor the numbers of attendees so we can maintain good Fire and Health and Safety protocols. It also helps us to know how many people to cater for with our eats!

Is this a free event?

There is no entry fee, but please reserve your spot! We respectfully ask for a small donation in consideration of the costs of hosting the event e.g. utilities.

Can I bring a friend?

Please do! We all experience loss and need to be able to understand the presence of grief in our lives. It helps to have a space to gather and to talk freely about our experiences without feeling we have to protect anyone. The only requirement is that every attendee registers individually.

What if I find it unbearable?

This may happen, especially if you are caught off guard by memories or a wave of emotion. The host, Fiona Reynolds, is a trained Counsellor and works with Loss and Bereavement as a specialist area. She will be able to support you through those moments and will be available afterwards for a chat.

How do I know if I am grieving?

We all respond to change and loss with Grief. There will be emotional, physical and psychological reactions, even though you may not make the connection immediately. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. These events bring people together to learn and understand through shared stories

How do you choose the topics for your talks?

The talks are intended to cover elements of day to day grieving experiences from the perspective of the griever. Many persons share similar concerns or have the same misconceptions about living with grief and these form the basis for the majority of the topics we present. Others may cover theories

Organised by

Fiona Reynolds, Loss and Bereavement Counsellor

Grief is a very important human process.  It is vital that people understand and acknowledge the nature of their losses and what grief really means for them.  

People experience Loss not just from the death of someone they are connected to, but throughout life in various ways.  My work has allowed me to witness how these life-losses impact on how a person makes choices, develops relationships with others as well as themselves and support them to a better understanding of grief as a naturally occuring collective of reactions.

I offer education on grief to help people regain their confidence and develop positive self-regard and to also help them build their resilience and discover healthy coping mechanisms.  My aim is to work with people in a way they understand and feel comfortable, enough so that they can move forward transformed and free.

On Sale 2 Jun 2025 at 17:52