SBC’s Inaugural Event – by Jola Malin

Summer BBQ and Tree Planting, Saturday 26th June 2021

The event was held at The Butterfly Garden’s main workshop, behind the garden centre. A wooden building with roomy kitchen, and plenty of space for several tables, more than enough for the thirteen of us. Just recently joined by email I didn’t know if I would recognise anyone apart from Trish who I’ve met briefly before. Ready to plant a tree, a few of us laid down our memory pebbles, after Trish’s heartfelt welcome. Then we went for a short walk to see where this special hazel tree will grow.

Lunch prepared by Debs was delicious; sausage, burgers, salads, then ice creams and blueberry buns for afters. While some of us milled around to chat, others got to clearing tables, a nice communal effort, especially from anyone wearing aprons! David and Sue, the other two co-ordinators, make up this innovative team. Trish announced a big thank you to Debs for doing all the catering.

We learnt that Gloucestershire County Counil’s GLoW (Gloucestershire Wellbeing) Community Grants have kindly provided funding for this project to develop, and Nicky, a representative of the GCC Public Health Dept. joined us. From what I heard today I think the Suicide Bereaved Community is a great initiative, and much needed particularly for those bereaved a while ago, for whom support groups are perhaps not required, but rather an occasional social/walk/activity within the company of others bereaved by suicide. In that way the aids for living with the effects of suicide loss can be communally gained between us and all our wonderful talents shared.