SEATON and District Hospital League of Friends have launched the first stage of a new bereavement support service for those living in Seaton and the surrounding areas.

The service will have four main areas when fully up and running, which include:

  • One-to-one support in the community and for housebound clients
  • Bereavement Meets
  • Bereavement Walks
  • Additional support offered for those with more needs

The first phase of this new service was the launch of the Bereavement Walks.

Volunteers conducted a recce walk on Thursday, October 3 which happened to be the Leagues 40th Birthday.

The walk started outside of Seaton Tesco, skirted along the marshes and then turned off at the track heading to the Burrow Pit Pond.

A reflective walk around the manmade pond, that is now fully owned by nature, allowed several wildlife sightings.

At the nearby bird hide the highlight of the walk happened, when two of the group were able to fleetingly witness a Kingfisher - a very special bird for The League.

Seaton and District Hospital League of Friends adopted the kingfisher as its logo as this was one of the first wards of Seaton Hospital.

On Tuesday, October 8 the first Bereavement Walk then took place. Despite heavy rain showers either side, it stayed dry for the walk duration, although the wind was out.

After the walk refreshments were served in the Leagues Information Hub in the centre of Seaton.

The walks are run by trained and compassionate volunteers who have all been DBS checked.

This is community group support for those bereaved in the form of a walk, giving people the opportunity to meet with others at a similar life stage or to interact with a neutral and non-judgemental bereavement support volunteer.

Bereavement Walks will take place every second and fourth Tuesday of the month (apart from in December when the last walk of the month will be on December 31).

Sign up before or turn up on the day. For more information phone 01297 20143 or email: info@SeatonLOF.co.uk

If interested in volunteering, please make contact or complete our online form: Join Us: Volunteer at Seaton Hospital League of Friends (seatonlof.co.uk)

 

Meet at Tesco Plaza (outside Seaton Tesco) at 9.45am for registration. Walks start at 10am.

The routes are gentle, last approximately an hour but also have the opportunity for rest and reflection points.

There is also a refreshment option after the walk.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring some water.

Well behaved dogs on leads are also welcome but please inform staff beforehand as some routes will need to be modified.

A spokesperson for League of Friends said: “Even if you feel too bereaved and that you can’t walk far, don’t want to or the weather has simply put you off, still come join us for a drink.

“If the walk has gone ahead meet us at our Information Hub, Seaton Square at 11.15am or earlier if there is bad weather and/or the walk has been cut short.”

Future 2024 walk dates are: October 22, November 12 and 26, December 10 and 31.

The walk will automatically be cancelled if there is a severe weather warning on the walk day.