Islington Bereavement Service is celebrating its ten-year anniversary. We sit down with service manager Gareth, volunteer Susan and Joseph, who has used the service, to find out more about how it helps local people navigate grief through community connection

For the past decade, a unique volunteer-led bereavement service hosted by St Joseph’s Hospice has been quietly transforming the way Islington residents navigate grief.

The project set out to bring bereavement support into local neighbourhoods, making it accessible, personal, and rooted in the community. Commissioned by the NHS and Islington Council, the service began with a simple aim: to connect people who were grieving with trained volunteers from their own borough or nearby areas. “We wanted to deliver a community, volunteer-led bereavement service in Islington,” explains Gareth, who manages Islington Bereavement Service alongside colleagues Anita and Nafisa.

“It was about recruiting and training volunteers from the community and letting local services know that people could refer in. From day one, anyone living in Islington or registered with an Islington GP could be referred. Many people also self-refer after hearing about us.”

Support begins with a thorough assessment, often in the comfort of the person’s home. “It’s about creating that initial space to be heard,” says Gareth. “Sometimes people find it harder to speak to their families. Having someone with no stake in what’s being said, who will be completely non-judgemental, can make all the difference.”

Once matched, participants are offered up to ten free weekly sessions. Meetings might happen at the hospice, in a library, over a walk in Highbury Fields, or in a quiet cafe. “We use core counselling skills, but with more adaptability,” Gareth explains. “Walking and talking can be powerful.”

Volunteers are the heart of the service, coming from all walks of life: trainee counsellors, retired social workers, ex-teachers. They receive ongoing training and regular supervision to share experiences and offer each other support. Susan, one of the project’s earliest volunteers, joined after the loss of her mother.

“I wanted to give something back to the community,” she says. “Not everyone has someone to confide in. I understand bereavement, and it’s important to just be there, to listen. No two people are the same and no two sessions are the same.” Volunteers often get as much out of the programme as participants.

“It is a privilege just to be able to listen to people’s stories and build a bond with them,” Susan continues. “My hope is always that, at the end of our 10 sessions together, they’ve at least partially achieved what they wanted to achieve, which can be different for each person.”

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.”

To find out more about the Islington Bereavement Service, including to apply to volunteer or self-refer, email stjosephs.firstcontact@nhs.net call on 0300 303 0400 or visit the St Joseph’s Hospice website.

Or, pop along to North Library in Holloway on Saturday 27 September for a day of fun activities, live music and free refreshments – plus an opportunity to find out more about the service. Find out more about the Islington Bereavement Service’s ten-year anniversary event.