“This is a group set up to support and help people with one thing in common. We ensure no one has to walk the path of grief alone.”

Hello. My name is Shane, and I currently reside in Shrewsbury. I started the Shropshire Bereavement Group back in April 2023 for a very personal reason.

I lost my firstborn, Ben, on Mother’s Day (March 18th, 2012). He was 28 years old. He’d had a heart & both lungs transplant at 23, but sadly, after five years, his organs were rejected. Ten years later, on April 3rd, 2022, I lost my second son, Toby. He was just a week into his 31st birthday. While walking home from an evening at the theatre, he lost his footing, fell into the river, and drowned. They both had everything to live for and loved life.

I decided to start this group because I found that waiting for counselling—which was 12 months at least—left me feeling alone and empty when I needed something there and then. I knew that no one could truly understand how I was feeling unless they had been there themselves.

Since starting on what would have been Ben’s 40th birthday, I have had the privilege of meeting over 300 people. We are expanding month on month into new areas. Friendships are being made, and we support each other daily.