Derby's longest-established family-owned funeral directors is opening its doors to more people seeking help after a loss. Wathall's is inviting residents to attend its acclaimed Dandelions Bereavement Support group, which offers free, regular meetings and one-to-one counselling sessions in the city.
A Vital Service for the Community
Fay Bloor, the bereavement support coordinator and a trained counsellor at Wathall's, currently runs four free meetings every month. She explained the profound impact the group has had, stating that firm friendships have been forged among attendees. "People come together to talk about their grief and how it feels to lose a loved one, finding comfort from the groups," she said.
"Our relaxed meetings give people the chance to share their feelings with others in a similar situation," Fay added. "This can sometimes be easier than talking to friends and family, particularly if those around them are navigating their own grief."
Origins and Growth of Dandelions
The award-winning service was first launched in 2014 by Wathall's managing director, Helen Wathall MBE. She identified a crucial need for ongoing support beyond the funeral arrangement. "Families would come to us to arrange a funeral, and I very quickly realised that they needed more help," Helen recalled. "I wanted to do more to support their grief journey."
The initiative has grown significantly since its inception. Fay now runs the groups with support from counsellor Sarah Legg and Helen's daughter, Charlotte Wathall. "We have had to expand multiple times," Fay noted. "We now run four meetings a month and these are well attended. It has been really lovely to see friendships made and people making positive adjustments in their lives."
How to Access the Support
No advance booking is required to attend any of the Dandelions Bereavement Support meetings. The groups run at consistent times each month, and individuals are welcome to simply turn up. The current schedule is as follows:
- Ashbourne Dandelions: First Wednesday of the month, 1.30pm - 3pm, Minor Hall, Ashbourne Leisure Centre, Clifton Road.
- Derby Dandelions: Second and last Tuesday of each month, 1.30pm - 3.30pm, St Peter's Church, St Peter's Street.
- Evening Dandelions, Derby: First Tuesday of each month, 6pm - 8pm, Derby Rugby Club, Haslam's Lane.
For further details on the bereavement support services available, you can email fay.bloor@wathalls.co.uk or visit the official website at www.wathalls.co.uk.
