A group for people affected by bereavement will be held in Dorchester .

The group was started by Revd Claire McClelland after she noticed that a number of church members' friends and family had died since she arrived in the parish.

She explained: “I felt that it might be helpful to offer a space for people to talk about where they are in their bereavement.

“I think people often feel that the world expects everyone to move on and get over bereavements fairly quickly, but in practice this takes time and it is important to be able to talk about the many facets of the experience of grieving. Some people manage to recover from loss fairly quickly; for others it can be a long process, sometimes getting more difficult as time goes on, contrary to the popular belief that ’time is a great healer’.”

Revd McClelland added: “It can also be difficult for people to talk with family members or friends about the more difficult emotions of grieving, such as anger, guilt, remorse, regret - all very normal but sometimes felt to be less ’acceptable’. Speaking with others who are going through a similar experience can be easier than ‘burdening’ family members who are also bereaved. This group aims to offer a warm and friendly space for people to share their experiences and support and learn from each other. It started life at St Peter’s but is open to anyone.”

The group will next be meeting on Monday, March 25, Tuesday, April 30, Monday, June 3 and Monday, July 1.

The group meets at the Vicarage, 38 Herringston Road from 10.30am to 11.30am. For more information contact clairemcclelland@icloud.com