Demelza holds a number of events throughout the year including remembrance events, regular coffee mornings and workshops.
Remembrance events
Demelza's remembrance events are a time for parents and carers to reflect, reminisce and celebrate the life of their child, in the company of their family.
They allow families to come together with the wider Demelza community and incorporate elements such as lighting candles, placing flowers, listening to music, creating memory art as well as other seasonal elements.
Please note that these event dates are currently provisionally. You will need to register for these events and an invite will be sent to you by email or post closer with information on how to sign up. If you have any questions beforehand then please email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk.
- Dates to be confirmed.
- SEL Thursday 10 October
- Kent Friday 11 October
An event to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. During the event, you will have the opportunity to meet other families as well as Demelza employees and volunteers. It's also a chance for you to come together with others who have had a similar experience in a safe and supportive space.
- South East London
Friday 15 November - Kent
Saturday 16 November
In-Person Cafés
When? 10am-12pm, first Tuesday of the month
Where? Margate Caves, 1 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 1FG (unless specified otherwise)
- Tuesday 1 October
- Tuesday 5 November (location Salvation Army, Union Crescent, Margate CT9 1NS )
- Tuesday 3 December (location Salvation Army Union Crescent, Margate CT9 1NS )
You will be warmly welcomed by Jennie from the family support team. We'll have refreshments, cake and some craft activities available for you while you chat.
Travel details
There is a bus stop outside the venue serviced by 'The Loop' and No. 8 bus routes. Parking is available in the public pay and display car park, Trinity Square, CT9 1QY, we'll pay for your parking ticket, just let us know on arrival. If you require a lift to the event please make a practical support referral.
If you have any issues on the day, please call Jennie on 07719044929.
When? Second Thursday of each month, 10am-12pm
Where? Hill Farm, Demelza Kent, Rook Lane, Sittingbourne ME9 8DZ
- Thursday 10 October
- Thursday 7 November
- Thursday 12 – Location TBC
You will be warmly welcomed by Jennie and Jo from the family support team. We'll have refreshments, cake and some craft activities available for you while you chat.
Travel details
The new Hill Farm building at Demelza Kent is situated opposite the main entrance with plenty of parking on site.
Any issues on the day please call Jennie on 07719044929.
When? Third Monday of each month, 10am-12pm
Where? Kitchen, Demelza South East London, 5 Wensley Close, London, SE9 5AB
- Monday 21 October
- Monday 18 November
- Monday 16 December
You will be warmly welcomed by Jo from the family support team. We'll have refreshments, cake and some craft activities available for you while you chat.
Travel details
If you've not been to Demelza South East London before, when you arrive just come to reception to let us know and we'll show you the way. Parking is limited on site but it can be found on close-by roads (we'll pay for your parking ticket, just let us know on arrival). If you require a lift to the event please make a practical support referral.
Any issues on the day please call the Demelza South East London reception on 02088 599800.
Together exploring workshops
Together exploring workshops are a new series of workshops designed to support Demelza families with various challenges after bereavement.
The workshops will aim to offer practical guidance and a compassionate community and will address topics such as grief, returning to employment after loss and more.
You will be sent more information as we add more workshops to the programme via the In Touch Newsletter (email). If you have any questions then please email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk.
These workshops will provide a safe and supportive environment to reflect on the experience of the loss of a child. They will be led by Demelza counsellors and family support staff and will provide a structured opportunity to explore loss and grief, within a small group of parents and carers with shared experiences. They are aimed at parents and carers who experienced the loss of a child over six months ago.
The next programme of workshops will take place over a six week period at Demelza South East London on the following dates:
-
Week 1: Thursday 12 September
Saying hello – welcome to the group -
Week 2: Thursday 19 September
My journey since my loss -
Week 3: Thursday 26 September
Remembering -
Week 4: Thursday 3 October
Who am I now? -
Week 5: Thursday 10 October
Who is there for me? -
Week 6: Thursday 17 October
Staying connected – making memories, meaning and memorials
If you are interested in joining the workshops in Demelza Kent, there will be another programme in November/December.
If you are interested in coming along to future sessions please email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk. We will share more information in the In Touch Newsletter once these are available to book.
This four-week programme of workshops will focus on returning to or finding work after you have experienced bereavement. They are aimed at parents and carers who experienced the loss of a child.
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Dates:
- Monday 6 January 2025
- Monday 13 January 2025
- Monday 20 January 2025
- Monday 27 January 2025
Where: Online - Please contact familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk to register.
Demelza Choir
Demelza Choir sessions are fun and inclusive with a wellbeing focus that allows us all to come together and share our voices.
Our choir facilitator is music therapist, Kelly Fraser, who joined Demelza in November 2022. Kelly has extensive experience running choirs in different settings.
Each session includes a mindful vocal warm-up, singing a couple of songs together and a chance to chat with one another over snacks! You don't have to attend every session, but we encourage you to join us when you can.
The sessions take place at Demelza Kent and Demelza South East London but all adult family members are invited to take part.
When? Every other Wednesday, 5-6.30pm
Where? Large Meeting Room, Demelza Kent, Rook Lane, Sittingbourne, ME9 8DZ
- Wednesday 2 October
- Wednesday 16 October
- Wednesday 30 October
- Wednesday 13 November
- Wednesday 27 November
- Wednesday 11 December
When? Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm
Where? Training Room, Demelza South East London, 5 Wensley Close, London SE9 5AB
- Wednesday 25 September
- Wednesday 9 October
- Wednesday 6 November
- Wednesday 4 December
Accessibility/special requirements
The session will take place upstairs in a large open room (known as the training room) at Demelza South East. This room is accessible by stairs or a lift (subject to working order) so please bear this in mind and let us know any special requirements you may need to assist you or your family.
Parking
Parking is available in the car park outside Demelza South East London (after 4.30pm) or in the underground car park (just press the buzzer). Someone will be available in reception to guide you if you're not sure. If there isn't any available parking onsite then there is plenty of parking available on surrounding roads, North Park and Court Yard, and we'll pay for your parking ticket (just let us know on arrival). If you require a lift to the event please make a practical support referral.
Support groups
Join us to meet other grandparents or dads for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
Our support groups for bereaved family members are available for those struggling with their grief and to share experiences with those who have also experienced the loss of a beloved child/grandchild.
If you would like any further information, or would like to speak to someone about the group, prior to attending, please email
familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk.
When? Last Wednesday of each month, 10am-12pm
Where? Demelza Kent, Rook Lane, Sittingbourne, ME9 8DZ
- Wednesday 28 August
- Wednesday 27 September
- Wednesday 30 October
- Wednesday 27 November
If you have any questions about these groups please contact Cathy Gundry by calling 07719067329 or emailing cathy.gundry@demelza.org.uk. Please let us know if you are planning to attend as we sometime organise trips and outings and may meet offsite.
Online sessions
Join Jo, Psychotherapeutic Services Lead, for our online sessions.
The sessions are a relaxed environment where people come together to chat, to share memories, to laugh, to cry, to seek support and guidance. However you are feeling, you will be welcomed.
We run café catch-up sessions which you can join to seek support and creative sharing groups which are an opportunity to work together, collaboratively, on a piece of writing/project which may be shared beyond the group e.g. poems, needlecraft, music, blogs. These sessions aim to bring relaxation, wellbeing and a mindful focus. It is also ok to come along and listen to others, choosing not to share.
If you would like any further information, or would like to speak to someone about the group, prior to attending, please email
familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk.
When? Fourth Wednesday of every month, 7-8pm
Where? Microsoft Teams
- Wednesday 23 October
- Wednesday 27 November
Join the session
Meeting ID: 312 372 258 369
Passcode: wBhAoZ