A COMMUNITY discussion group that talks about issues surrounding death and bereavement has started in Radcliffe.

The “Death Café” – held at Red Bank House in Lowe Street – is the first of its kind in the area and offers people informal support rather than counselling.

The first cafe was purposely held to coincide with Dying Matters Awareness Week which is being held from May 8 to 14 and after a good response, the hope is that more and more people can benefit in the future.

Organiser of the Death Café, Rachel Yates, said: “I think everybody is different when we talk about death.

“Some people want to talk about it and some do not so the café offers all of these people to talk to people who have been through similar trauma.

“The hope is that the sessions will help people to realise that it is not all doom and gloom and there is still a future for them.”

Rachel, 42, said that she did not expect the turnout in the first café to be so good and that the feedback was all very positive from everyone.

“They all seemed to have benefitted from today in some way and say they will keep coming so it looks good going forward.”

The discussion group, which will take place every second Tuesday of the month from 2pm to 3.30pm, gives people the chance to share their stories to the group or to just chat to the person they are sitting next to.

Each person was handed little forget me not poems and tea-light candles with space to write messages on them.

“We also spoke about creating memory boxes for our loved ones which people liked the idea of.

The Death Café concept was made possible after Rachel was awarded £400 funding through a Community Café initiative.

The applicants were able to put forward their ideas for creating new projects in the community with the best ideas given funding.

She said: “I have had the idea for months now so when I received the funds it really helped to me to get it on its feet.

The first Death Café was attended by 16 people, with many praising the concept.

Kevin Winch, 57, who lives in Ashton under Lyme but works in Bury, said: “My mother died two weeks ago and I didn’t know what to expect after, and still don’t really, but coming along to this today has firstly made me feel like I have some support.

“I feel like now that I have something that can help me see a better future whereas before I could not.”

“I have had a smile on my face today for the first time since it happened so that says it all really.

“I would recommend coming here to anybody. Anybody who perhaps has got a recent bereavement or know that it is going to happen in the future.

Jill Brady, aged 49, of Radcliffe Road, Bury, who works as a community champion for Asda, said: “My dad died three years ago very suddenly.

“It was horrible and I haven’t really been able to talk about it much. It is always there in the back of my mind but today has helped. Listening to other people here today has made me realise that I am not on my own. I will recommend it to other people for sure.”

The Death Cafe is open to anybody with prior booking not needed.

For more information call Rachel Yates on 07738 148 284 or email Rachel.Yates@makingspace.co.uk