Your Feedback Has Helped Shape New Bereavement Support in Warrington
In August, we asked local people about their experiences of bereavement support. The feedback highlighted a clear need for an evening bereavement café in a central Warrington location that is easy to access, with good transport links, parking and support for families with children.
We're delighted to see that this feedback has helped inform the development of a new Evening Bereavement Café at St. Rocco's Hospice, opening this November. The café will take place on the first Tuesday of every month from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, providing an additional support option for people who may be unable to attend daytime sessions due to work, caring responsibilities or other commitments.
To help make the service accessible for families, Warrington Youth Zone has partnered with St. Rocco's Hospice to offer support for school-aged children and young people while parents or carers attend the café. Trained youth workers will provide arts, crafts and other activities in a safe and welcoming environment, allowing families to access support together when they need it most.
When someone you love dies, grief can be overwhelming. Having a space to talk, reflect and connect with others who understand can make a real difference. St. Rocco's Bereavement Cafés offer free, compassionate support in an informal and welcoming setting for anyone experiencing grief, regardless of where they are on their bereavement journey.
Cathy Swinhoe, Senior Patient and Family Support Practitioner at St. Rocco's Hospice, said:
"In the last 12 months, St. Rocco's has supported over 390 visits to our two daytime Bereavement Cafés. These drop-in sessions provide easy-to-access support and are open to everyone. Extending our services to include a monthly Evening Bereavement Café will ensure we can offer support to even more people across Warrington experiencing bereavement."
Bereavement Café Locations
- St. Rocco's Hospice - First Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm to 8.30pm
- Alexandra Park - Second Tuesday of the month, 9.30am to 11.00am
- Masonic Hall - Last Tuesday of the month, 10.00am to 11.30am
Please note that the previous Bank Park Bereavement Café has now relocated to Masonic Hall.
All Bereavement Cafés are free to attend, with no referral or booking required. Tea, coffee, and homemade cakes are available, and all venues offer access for people with mobility needs.
At Healthwatch Warrington, we're proud to see how listening to local people can lead to positive changes in services. We'd like to thank everyone who took part in the Virtual Voices survey and shared their experiences. Your feedback helps organisations like St. Rocco's continue developing services that reflect the needs of our community.
To find out more about St. Rocco's Bereavement Cafés, including upcoming dates and locations, visit: www.stroccos.org.uk/helping-you/bereavement-cafes.
Virtual Voices Findings
Want to know what local people told us about bereavement support and how their feedback has helped shape services in Warrington?
This report shares the key findings from our Virtual Voices Bereavement Survey, including what people told us about accessing support, the challenges they face, and what improvements they would like to see. The feedback directly influenced the development of St. Rocco's new Evening Bereavement Café, helping ensure support is more accessible for local families.
Download the report to discover how local voices are making a real difference to bereavement support in Warrington. 📥
