A FUNERAL home in Dawlish has launched a new monthly bereavement café.

The ‘Coffee and Friends’ sessions, held at Co-op Funeralcare Dawlish, on Lawn Terrace, take place on the first Friday of every month from 10.30am to 12pm. The relaxed drop-in meetings are open to anyone in the community who may be experiencing bereavement or feelings of loneliness.

The group, which is run by Funeral Director, Catherine Bate, and Funeral Arranger, Valerie Worthington, has been set up to provide an informal and supportive environment where people can chat freely and meet others over tea, coffee and homemade cake, without the pressure of a structured session.

Catherine said: ‘We wanted to create something that feels warm and approachable. ‘Coffee and Friends’ isn’t heavy or solemn – it’s simply a chance to sit together and share experiences, all over a cup of tea and slice of cake.

'Grief can feel isolating, and loneliness can affect people at any stage of life.

‘This group is about companionship as much as it is about bereavement support.

‘We hope that Coffee and Friends will continue to grow and that we will reach as many local people as we can.’

Since its recent launch, the group has welcomed, alongside new members, visitors from the local clergy and Dawlish’s local councillor, reflecting the wider community’s support for the initiative.

No booking is required, and anyone is welcome to drop in.