New bereaved by suicide peer support group for Blackburn with Darwen

Speak Their Name is a new project bringing together people who have been bereaved by suicide, to form a peer support group.

The group will provide a confidential, safe space allowing people to talk, to remember their loved one and share their experience whilst creating a special memorial quilt, made up of individual squares, each one dedicated to their loved one.

The quilt will be made up of individual 11 x 11 inch cotton squares individually designed by those who have been bereaved by suicide in Blackburn with Darwen and each square will represent the unique memories of the family member or friend.

We hope that the final quilt once completed will be able to be displayed in BWD creating a lasting beautiful memory of loved ones who have died to suicide.

Sessions are held fortnightly, on a Wednesday night, 6.30 – 8.30pm at the Making Rooms in Blackburn. To find out when the next group is being held, please call: 07557 495395 to register your place or go to www.bewellbwd.com for more information.

Cllr Brian Taylor, an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, said:

Whether you have been recently bereaved or 20 years ago, the pain is still there and we want to bring people together, through this positive project, to help them.

It can be difficult to open up to others about being bereaved by suicide, as there is still a perceived stigma attached to it, this makes it even harder to get the support you need. This group hopes to help.”

Fran Riley, Public Health Development Manager at BwD, added:

The main aim of this group is to help people that have been bereaved by suicide and show them that they are not alone. Making a quilt might not be your thing, but please don’t let that stop you coming to the group and meeting others who have been through your grief and who can provide you with some support and comfort.

The beauty of holding the sessions at the Making Room, is that the individual squares don’t have to be sewn in the traditional style. Anything goes.”

This project is being run by the Public Health team of BwD Council, BwD Adult Learning, and The Making Rooms.