‘I feel at home’ – how church run grief support group helped Evelyn cope with loss.
After 53 years of marriage, Evelyn’s life changed suddenly in 2023 when her husband died. In the months that followed, the social world she and her husband had shared began to shrink. Friendships with other couples faded and with no close family, Evelyn found herself facing long days grieving alone.
A social prescriber working alongside her GP suggested a few places she might try to meet people. But it was something closer to home that eventually gave her the courage to reach out - a noticeboard outside her local church. One poster in particular caught her eye - a group called Friendship in Grief, known locally as FIG.
The group had been set up by church members, Grace and Jacqui, who had experienced grief themselves. They wanted to create a place where people living with loss could meet others who understood what they were going through. Each week, the group gathers at the parish centre, the hub for a range of community ministries run by the parish.
At first, Evelyn felt nervous about going. “It was difficult going into a new place alone but I knew I had to push myself. I’m so glad I did, because Grace and Jacqui made me feel welcome immediately.”
FIG is not a formal counselling service. Instead, it offers something many grieving people need most: Companionship. Understanding. Friendship.
“The team explained that FIG isn’t about talking one-on-one with a trained bereavement counsellor. It’s a group of people, united by grief, who support each other. We talk about grief but many other things too. After just a couple of weeks, I felt like I belonged.”
Week by week, Evelyn began to rebuild her confidence and her social life.
“Through FIG I’ve laughed and cried. I’ve received comfort and reassurance and I’ve got to know lots of new people and church members who are now friends. Grief doesn’t go away and I still have bad days but I know that when I leave FIG each week, I always feel better about things.”
Through the connections she made at FIG, Evelyn also discovered Friendship Friday, a weekly social wellbeing group run by volunteers at the parish. The centre is maintained and funded by church members through generous donations and fundraising. Every week, volunteers offer a warm welcome along with hot drinks, fresh soup and other refreshments - free of charge to everyone who attends.
For Evelyn, these gatherings have become an important part of her life.
“Although I’m not a Sunday churchgoer, because of FIG and Friendship Friday I’m now part of the church community. When I walk in, I don’t feel like a stranger in the room anymore. I feel at home.”
Today, Evelyn’s life looks very different from the initial lonely months after her husband’s death.
“If it weren’t for the church and all they offer our community, I would still be alone in my grief. I certainly wouldn’t have the wonderful social life I now enjoy.”
Why your support matters
Friendship in Grief is just one example of how our churches help people find connection, support and hope during life’s most difficult moments. Together we combat loneliness and isolation. We build friendships that extend far beyond church walls. We offer welcome and practical support.
But ministries like this do not happen by accident. They rely on parish clergy, lay leaders, trusted volunteers - and over £7m every year to pay for things like training, safeguarding and clergy support. Please donate today to help us meet our ministry costs and ensure more people like Evelyn can live life to the full.