MEMBERS of a bereavement support group have spoke out about how it helped them come to terms with losing their loved ones as it marked its tenth year.

The New Era offers friendship, support and laughter to people who have recently experienced the death of a loved one during two-hour drop-in sessions.

The group, which is run by Bennetts Funerals, has now been running for a decade and some of its members have spoken out about what it means to them. Doreen Fairman, from Basildon, has been attending the group since her husband of 53 years Norman died in 2010.

She said: “It’s helped me tremendously. I think when you talk about what’s happened to you, you kind of get it off your chest.

“Although you lose someone that’s very dear to you, and it’s very hard at the time,there is a way to carry on your life if you get out and about.

“There are outings. We’ve seen a couple of shows. I’ve made friends. I’ve had to push myself to do things a little bit but it becomes second nature now.”

Lynn Hailey, from Hutton, joined after losing three close family members.

She said: “You feel safe to open up. Another time you don’t have to say anything. You just have a cup of tea and it’s nice to meet people.”

Father and daughter Roy and Jo Roper from Hutton joined after their wife and mother Viv died in June. Roy said: “It is hard the first week but here you feel comfortable talking to anybody.”

Jo added: “You don’t feel silly or embarrassed. If you want to talk about your loss, if you feel sad, everyone has been through something similar.”

The group, which held a celebration with more than 30 members to mark the decade, holds monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at St George’s Church Hall, in Brentwood.

A separate parents’ bereavement support group, Our Grieving Hearts, is also run by Bennetts.

It meets on the first Monday evening of the month in Brentwood and second Monday afternoon in Billericay.

Managing Director of Bennetts Funerals, Jane Bennett said: “We started the groups because we realised there was a need for support within the area.

“What is so fantastic is the support people give each other - they are their own success.

“They can pass on to new people the message that it will be alright, that their life will change and become different but there is still a life.”

Janet Botwright, who runs the group added: “I think most people feel supported by being in the company other people who understand there are good days and bad days.

Dealing with anniversaries and birthdays can be really difficult.

“Friends will support in the short term but their lives carry on as before whereas the bereaved life is changed forever. And that’s what other members understand.”

For more information about either group call 01277 210 104.