The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy - Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has undertaken a visit to Llandudno’s oldest Funeral Director to learn more about the company’s monthly bereavement coffee morning. Tristan Owen and Kelly Bowsher of Tom Owen and Son, based on Bodhyfryd Road in Llandudno, run the community group on the third Thursday of every month.
The effort has been praised by Mrs Finch-Saunders who is promoting National Grief Awareness Week 2021, which aims to offer help and hope to those grieving and reconnect communities who may feel isolated in their heartache.
Speaking after the visit, Janet said:
“This important national awareness week, in the dark shadow of an incredibly difficult and challenging period for many, helps us to confront the myth that you 'get over' grief. Perhaps you move forward with your grief, but some people may be affected by a bereavement throughout their whole life.
“By supporting those groups who enable connection and conversations, we can help to remove the additional distress caused by isolation. This is particularly important now as recent public health restrictions have made reaching out to family and friends for a much-needed hug and human connection much more difficult.
“I should like to commend the selfless work of Tom Owen and Son for their work in running this important community bereavement group, which I am informed regularly gets around 15-20 welcoming attendees. I would encourage residents to reach out to such support if required.
“Tristan and Kelly should be proud that they have the best interest of the community at heart, and that their business is one of only two in Wales which are included in the Good Funeral Guide."
The awareness week is scheduled to be held between 2nd and 8th December 2021. Over 100 landmark buildings, including Blackpool Tower and the National Theatre, are scheduled to be light up in orange at 18:00 on the 8th December 2021, when a minute’s silence will also be held.
Should residents wish to get involved, they can find more information and resources by heading to www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS with Tristan Owen and Kelly Bowsher.
