A WOMAN from Barrow who was bereaved from suicide has shared why the Suicide Bereavement Support service was so useful in her recovery.

Emily Griffiths lost her partner of 25 years in 2008, and said “getting support from SBS was a vital step for her in accepting the ‘new normal’ and finding some kind of peace after her partner’s death”.

But travelling to the nearest support group in Keswick was a burden on her time – which is why this local group for Barrow and Furness has been launched.

“When my partner David died, I was not in a place to go to a group like this for years,” said Emily.

“The circumstances of his death were quite difficult as he had a business and four children, and I found it tremendously difficult.

“Because I was a nurse, I felt I had let him down and let my children down. It was devastating for them, and I felt terrible for putting them in that situation even though I hadn’t.

“Going to the group, I realised it is just such a difficult situation. It is not because you are useless, it is because it is just a difficult to get your head around it.

“Hearing other people’s experiences helped me.”

She became a Suicide Bereavement Support facilitator because she felt that if she did not speak to people who had been bereaved by suicide, then who would?

People can attend regularly, sporadically, or not at all and just join the Facebook group – whichever helps and suits them best.

Emily and fellow facilitator Kitty Birtwistle are now restarting face-to-face groups again and will be joining Every Life Matters’ candle lit vigil Barrow Town Hall at 8pm this Friday, September 10.

The group has been helping many in the community despite the pandemic and even started a monthly local meeting via Zoom in February. This has been appreciated by those attending, and the smaller numbers gave an opportunity to have in-depth conversations.

SBS has also been selected by the Co-op as one of several local community charities to support.

The face-to-face meetings start at Hawcoat Community centre on Tuesday September 14 from 7.30pm until 9pm, for those bereaved by suicide.