Stuart Clarkson

Noon - 2:00pm

Email the studio

Matthew Wilder

Break My Stride

Listen Live Podcasts

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust launches new bereavement support group

Thursday, 25 July 2024 17:23

The Airedale Hospital chaplaincy team

The Chaplaincy team at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is launching a new bereavement support group for members of the local community.

Starting on 7 August 2024, the Connections support group will meet on the first Wednesday of every month between 2-3:30pm in the restaurant at Airedale Hospital.

Connections is open to anyone who has experienced loss, no matter how recent, and wants to meet others who have gone through something similar.

The Trust’s Lead Chaplain, Liz Maitland, said:

“In Chaplaincy, we meet so many people who have been bereaved and are trying to navigate their way through this big change in their life.

“We found that a lot of people were keen to share their stories so we wanted to offer a safe and informal space where people could get together with others who are going through something similar, share their experiences and support each other.

“We hope that friendships are formed within the group that can help attendees find a way forward and feel supported.”

Attendees can purchase a hot drink in the hospital restaurant, connect with others, learn about local support available to them and meet members of the Chaplaincy team.

The Chaplaincy team would like the group to be shaped by its members and is open to suggestions about what they would like to see in future meetings, including any guest speakers or activities.

Connections is open to people of all faiths and none and there is no need to book or come to every meeting, just turn up on the day.

Support is available for people with accessibility needs or who may be anxious about joining a new group:

“We recognise that joining a new group can be daunting but we’re always happy to have a chat beforehand or meet people at the main entrance if they are nervous about finding their way through the hospital,” says Liz.

“We can also provide wheelchair support if arranged prior to the meeting.”

If you would like to get in touch or find out more, please contact Liz via email at Elizabeth.maitland@nhs.net or phone the Chaplaincy office on 01535 294088.

More from Local news

Addingham invites traders for festive Christmas market

Traders invited for Totally Addingham Christmas Market on Saturday 29 November 2025.
Brass band from Skipton appear in Channel 5 drama series finale

Skipton Brass Band has recently gained national attention after appearing in the finale of the latest season of the Channel 5 drama All Creatures Great and Small.
Ermysted's and Skipton Girls' High to hold joint Sixth Form Open Evening

Two Skipton secondary schools are holding their first joint Sixth Form open evening this week.
New Love Brownies branch to open in Skipton this weekend

Barden-based Love Brownies is opening a new takeaway branch in Skipton on Saturday.
Airedale Hospital launch annual Christmas card competition

Airedale Hospital and Community Charity is inviting young people to get creative as it launches its annual Christmas card competition.
Council warns man of £38 charge per flag if he puts up any more

A man who put up more than 100 flags around a North Yorkshire market town has been told he will be charged a £38 removal fee per flag if he puts up any more.
PureGym opens Its doors in Skipton Town Centre

A 24-hour PureGym has opened in Albion Place. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by local boxing coach and community figure Mark Shaw.
Hospital create pumpkin patch thanks to kind donations

Airedale Hospital Community Charity shared thanks to Tesco for donating pumpkins to the hospital's children's unit.
Skipton’s Sam Ashby’s Big Brother Journey Heats Up

Skipton’s own Sam Ashby has continued to make headlines during this year’s Big Brother series, with viewers recently treated to one of the show’s most dramatic twists yet.
Your Christmas to provide seasonal joy on DAB across North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is getting its own special Christmas present this year - a radio station playing non-stop festive favourites and a flavour of the best of life at Christmas in the county.
Skipton Choral Society bring back Winter Concert

Skipton Choral Society will host its Winter Concert on Saturday 6 December at Christ Church Skipton, starting at 4pm.
Skipton school's reunion event returns after five-year break

Former pupils of Ermysted’s Grammar School are being invited to attend this year’s Old Boys’ Dinner, which is taking place for the first time since 2019.
Skipton named the happiest place to live in North Yorkshire

The town was ranked highest in the county and placed second overall in a list of 75 locations across the UK.
Duo take on Beamsley Beacon challenge for Sarcoma UK

Two Addingham residents, Rowan Sutcliffe (20) and Ryan Womersley (32), have completed a remarkable challenge to raise money for Sarcoma UK, just months after both received life-changing cancer diagnoses.
£40 million investment proposal to include upgrades to Skipton Leisure Centre

Plans for a £40 million investment to support healthier and more active communities across North Yorkshire are set to be discussed next week, with Skipton among the locations included in the proposals.
Skipton landmarks light up purple for World Polio Day

Skipton landmarks have been lit up in purple this week to mark World Polio Day and raise awareness of the global effort to eradicate the disease.
Local Christmas tree sale to raise money for Spinal Research

A local Christmas tree sale in Beamsley is once again set to raise funds for the charity Spinal Research.
Guide: Where to celebrate Bonfire night near Skipton

Time for a big bang, and here is where you can find your local firework and bonfire events.
Spectacular Bronze Age find goes on show in Skipton

A nationally significant Bronze Age find has gone on permanent display in Skipton Town Hall, offering a fascinating insight into the lives of people who lived in North Yorkshire more than 4,000 years ago.
Council chiefs call for measures to stop councillor allowances used as 'political football'

Senior councillors have called for members’ allowances to increase automatically to avoid the issue becoming a "political football".