Monica’s Story

Monica’s Story

After Monica’s husband died, she sought ways to help navigate her grief. She began to attend our Compassionate Cafés, enrolled in our Compassionate Neighbour programme and received 1:1 bereavement support.

Compassionate Cafés 

Monica says: “My husband died in March. I was finding everything very hard and feeling low.  My daughters live far away but visited me for a month or so after my husband died.  They mentioned that the local Compassionate Café at Jersey Farm, near me in St Albans, might be a nice place to go and meet other people who are in the same boat as me.  I felt so nervous about going, my daughters had to practically push me through the door!  But then I started talking to people and it made me feel less lonely.  Now I go every month to the Café in Jersey Farm and the one at St. Saviours Church. 

At the Compassionate Cafés you can open up with other people and share how you are coping and getting through life.  It’s nice to get out of the house and have some company, as I am often very lonely.”

Finding support from her Compassionate Neighbour 

“I met Pauline at the Compassionate Café and a member of the Rennie Grove Peace team asked if I would like to have a weekly visit from her.  We got on like a house on fire right from the start. Pauline is such a pleasant person, she’s kind and listens to me. 

I live on my own and I don’t see anybody else, so having my visits from Pauline and going to the Compassionate Cafés has helped me a lot.  Pauline also drives me to the Compassionate Cafés because I wouldn’t go otherwise. I’ve lost my confidence in driving, as my husband used to drive us around. 

When Pauline visits, we often go to the shops or a Garden Centre for a couple of hours and have a coffee.  We talk about everything and anything.  She really listens to me and I’m so glad I have got to know her. 

With no local family, if I receive a letter and don’t understand it, I show Pauline and she helps me with that too.  Paperwork can get very overwhelming, as my husband used to do all that stuff.”

Receiving 1:1 bereavement support 

“I also had a few weeks of 1:1 counselling at home from the Bereavement Support Team.  My husband wasn’t cared for by a hospice, but Rennie Grove Peace can help anyone who is bereaved. The support really helped me and we talked about things that I hadn’t spoken about. 

After that, I went to Grove House in St Albans to the Bereavement Support Group, which was good, but I personally preferred the 1:1 sessions.”