Growing with Grief – National Grief Awareness Week 2025

2-8 December is National Grief Awareness Week, an initiative started by national charity The Good Grief Trust to normalise conversations around grief and loss. The theme for 2025 is ‘Growing with Grief,’ not only placing a practical emphasis on the wellbeing benefits of nature, but also metaphorically, focusing on how our experiences of grief and loss can become the ground from which something new can grow.

We know that losing a loved one can feel like an ending in a multitude of ways. However, over time, it can also become the ground from which something new grows. While we can’t go back to the person we were before the loss, we can grow into someone new shaped by love, memories and resilience. While the growth doesn’t erase the pain and heartache of grief, it can allow hope to return, helping us to grow into someone more compassionate and aware of what matters most.

Connecting with nature

At Dorothy House, we focus on quality of life, supporting people in our community to live well and die well. Our holistic approach means that we prioritise wellbeing, relaxation and independence, so alongside traditional medical care, we also offer a range of complimentary therapies, tailored to meet each person’s needs. Alongside this, the power of nature plays a key part in the care that we offer to families.

All the patient rooms on our Inpatient Unit (IPU) have beautiful views of the Hospice grounds and are wheelchair accessible, allowing patients and their visitors to enjoy the peaceful and relaxing setting. Additionally, our Day Patients can take part in Creative Arts sessions accompanied with the beautiful backdrop of the grounds.

Nature benefits for all – the ‘Winsley House Place’ project

It’s not just people under our care that can benefit from the stunning scenery here at Winsley, either. Our award-winning ‘Winsley House Place’ Project aims to increase nature connectedness for wellbeing for those diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or who are experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. We were delighted that this exciting initiative was a winner in the 2024 Shine a Light Awards, which was part of The Good Grief Trust’s National Grief Awareness week campaign.

The project ensures that our stunning grounds at the Hospice are accessible to anyone in our community, whether they have a connection to Dorothy House or not. The initiative not only includes our partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, but also Firefly Woods and our Interactive Nature Trail.

In addition to its presence within the woodlands here at the Hospice, we also offer the opportunity to virtually explore Firefly Woods. This digital offering enables those who are unable to leave their homes, or who do not live locally, to visit the Fireflies via our immersive 360 tours and our 24-hour live webcam.

Embracing nature across our community

As part of our care, we offer a wide number of groups open to our community. Many will be aware of groups such as Coffee Connections and Bereavement Help Points, but we also offer groups that connect people with nature and the great outdoors.

The Allotment Group

Our Allotment Group has been running for over ten years and provides a calm, quiet space for those struggling with bereavement, a palliative diagnosis or life-limiting illness. The group meet every Tuesday morning at the Gloucester Road Allotment Association in Trowbridge from March to November, planting and picking a variety of own-grown plants, fruit and vegetables. The group also tend to plot at the Springfield Community Centre in Corsham and our herb bed here at the Hospice. Produce grown is shared among the group members and with Alzheimer’s Wiltshire, who use them in their day centres across Wiltshire. A great space for companionship, reflection and gentle activity, the Allotment Group is open to anyone in the community – simply get in touch to learn more.

Walking Through Grief

Open to anyone in the community who has been bereaved, Walking Through Grief is suitable for all levels of fitness and meets at various locations across the Wiltshire countryside, with a chance to sit and enjoy a hot drink at the end. These gentle, guided walks are led by two experienced volunteers from our Bereavement Team and provide an opportunity for conversation and sharing experiences with other people who are bereaved. For more information, call us on 01225 967460.

Grow for Life

We announced our partnership with local horticultural charity, Grow for Life back in June, formed to increase awareness of and access to therapeutic horticultural programmes and general nature connectedness in B&NES, Somerset and Wiltshire. Using social and therapeutic horticulture, the partnership seeks to support people through grief with a 12-week programme of activities led by Grow for Life staff and volunteers, who have received training from Dorothy House to ensure they are best equipped to support attendees. At the end of the 12-week programme, attendees will be offered the chance to continue their volunteering with our Gardening Team, Firefly Woods volunteers, or through opportunities known to Grow for Life.

Dorothy House Community Map

We recently launched our new interactive Community Map, which allows users to search their local area for support groups, clinics, events, and Dorothy House services. In addition to listing services and clinics from our partner organisations, the map also lists several urban treescapes across Bath, perfect for anyone looking to get outdoors.

Grief and Bereavement resources

For anyone looking for grief and bereavement support, our Information Hub has several resources that can be accessed for free by anyone who needs them. This includes information for immediately after someone dies, funerals, and general bereavement resources. You can also check out Part of Life for a range of reflections, resources, and more around grief and loss.

For more information on National Grief Awareness Week and how you can get involved, visit The Good Grief Trust’s website.