Gloucestershire Council grant bolsters bereavement support
With over £400k available this year, the grant programme aims to strengthen local organisations that help people ‘stay well and live independently’
Gloucestershire County Council has given Great Oaks Hospice in Coleford a £7,500 grant to expand its bereavement support services.
The grant, which comes from the council’s Thriving Communities Grant Programme, will ensure that more people in the Forest of Dean can access the care they need.
With over £400k available this year, the grant programme aims to strengthen local organisations that help people “stay well and live independently”.
Since its launch in 2018, the grant programme has invested £2.4m across 310 projects for the benefit of communities across Gloucestershire.
Great Oaks was also among the grant’s beneficiaries last year, when it helped the hospice recruit two new counsellors for its bereavement café.
As a result, the waiting list for counselling services has nearly halved, reaching its lowest level since 2021.
Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, cabinet member for adult social care commissioning at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am delighted to see what a positive impact the Thriving Communities Grant is having on such a diverse range of organisations across Gloucestershire.
“It’s wonderful to see the grants helping local groups to support people to stay fit and healthy, reduce isolation, and improve general wellbeing.”