Nottingham Grief Support: navigating grief and substance use

We are proud to announce the introduction of a new support service for adults bereaved by substance use or those using substances who are experiencing grief.

Grief is a complicated, confusing thing and is a different experience for each individual. However, many people find themselves reacting in ways that they weren’t expecting and are left feeling that they are not grieving in the ‘right way’. We know that when a bereavement is related to substance use, these complex thoughts can be exacerbated. It might be because of the pressures of coping with someone’s drug and alcohol use when they were alive, the circumstances of their death, or societal stigma.

As a powerful emotion, it can be easy to reach for unhelpful coping mechanisms when navigating the experience of grief. We recognise that people taking substances have unique needs. They may find their usage changing or the strength of their recovery challenged, and we want to support them through this time.

Thanks to funding from Nottingham City Council, Wellness in Mind can now provide specialist front line support to those experiencing this particular form of grief.

Nottingham Grief Support is a place where people can come to speak openly to those who understand. We make no judgement toward substance use or the complicated thoughts and feelings that arise when grieving for somebody who has died in relation to drugs or alcohol.

How we help you

The support we offer is structured. We will first carry out an assessment with you so that we have a good understanding of what you are hoping to gain from accessing the service. In your assessment, we will ask some questions about your bereavement and how it has affected you. 

After the initial assessment, we can offer up to six 1:1 sessions, remotely or in person, followed by peer-support groups and online resources. You can access group sessions as often or as little as you need.  

Trained Grief Intervention Workers deliver the service, supported by a team of psychologists. These sessions are not therapy, but somewhere for you to explore your experiences in a supportive space and find a way to move forward with grief. 

We understand that grief can be a long and complex process, so our care is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of needs. This includes large print resources, access to videos, or remote sessions for those who are not able to travel. 

Drop-In Sessions 

Nottingham Grief Support also run a number of “drop-in” clinics throughout the week. 
Drop ins are a space to talk to someone one to one about your feelings, or to find out about longer term support. You can come along to these sessions with no booking or appointment required. 

Monday 
Mary Potter Centre
Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green 
NG7 5HY 
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm 

Tuesday 
Clifton Cornerstone
Lanthwaite Road, Clifton 
NG11 8EW 
2:00pm – 4:30 pm 

Anyone over the age of 18 who is living in Nottingham or who is registered with a Nottingham City GP can access our service. This service is also available to Framework staff members given they meet the criteria. You do not need to have any diagnosis or other professional support relating to your bereavement. 

If you are not sure whether you would be able to access support from us, please contact the team and we will be able to talk to you about specific circumstances. 

How to get in touch 

If you, or anyone you know, is looking for support in their bereavement, then complete a referral at the link below.  

Referral form – Nottingham Grief Support 

Alternatively, you can request a referral form by emailing info@wellnessinmind.org.