It’s National Grief Awareness Week, so a good time to showcase some of the amazing feedback our Bereavement Support Team receive week in, week out, from loved ones’ relatives.

End of Life Care Facilitator, Gillian Sykes, said: “We help people with their grief in many ways. We send out a box with a handwritten card, support numbers, marigold seeds and a knitted heart with a heart going with the deceased patient, too.

“We also phone next of kin about a week after the death to check in to see how they are and if there is anything we can do to support them.

“One gentleman said how much the call and box had meant. His first wife died aged 42 and then this bereavement was his second wife. He was keen to avoid the abyss of despair he’d had after his first wife’s death – so we talked about looking out for warning signs and seeking help early. At the end of the call, he said: “You’ll never know the difference that has made to me – and it won’t be just me."

“When you are grieving it is important to remember that there are no rules about what you should feel. It is very individual, and you may find that some days are better than others.”

The team also hold a monthly bereavement café at HRI called the Marigold Café - everyone is welcomed, whatever stage of the grief process they may be at. There is one this coming Wednesday.

The group meets each month in the Hope Centre, in the main entrance of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, between 2pm and 3.30pm. Anyone needing support after bereavement is welcome to drop in for a chat and a cup of tea.

Please call 01484 342180 for more information.

There will also be a display board in HRI reception between Tuesday to Thursday this week about National Grief Awareness Week.