Good Grief: Islington Bereavement Service

Our Islington Bereavement Service offers support for adults living in Islington and/or registered with a GP in Islington.

The service is designed for people who have experienced the death of a family member, relative, or another important person in their life. Ran by our staff with a team of trained volunteers, the service provides practical, social, and emotional bereavement support.

Recently, one of our matched pairs volunteer Susan and community member Joseph, along with Gareth, our Community Development Manager, sat down with Islington Life, Islington Council’s magazine, to discuss the service and the help we can provide.

We’ve included part of the article for you to read here below. The full article can be found in the Autumn 2025 edition on the magazine’s website, pages 22-23: Islington Life Autumn 2025.

Joseph, a recent participant, discovered the service through his housing provider.

“I needed somewhere I could express myself,” he recalls. “When I met Gareth, what they offer sounded promising. Then I met Susan, and we just clicked. It was like talking to my older sister or my mum.”

Their sessions covered everything from memories of lost loved ones to everyday challenges.

“Bereavement doesn’t stop other life stresses,” Susan continues. “We talk about financial burdens, family issues, and sometimes just current affairs. You never tell someone what to do – you let it happen.”

For Joseph, the experience was transformative.

“My struggle’s not over, but this greatly helped. There were things I didn’t want to face that I can talk about now. It made me more determined to better myself and move forward, not dwelling on the past.”

As the service marks its tenth year, Gareth reflects on its impact:

“We’re very blessed. We have wonderful volunteers, strong community connections, and the privilege of seeing people feel a bit less alone. That’s what it’s all about.”

Join us for a special celebration event:

Saturday 27th September, 12 noon – 3pm
North Library, Manor Gardens, N7 6JX

Come along for:

• Free refreshments
• Fun activities
• Live music
• Information about our support services and volunteering opportunities

Everyone is welcome!