Bereavement

Light Up a Life Day (5th Dec): Finding Support and Community in Essex

Light Up a Life Day (5th December)  is a time for reflection, remembrance, and connection. Whether you have lost a family member, friend, or someone who made a difference in your life, this day offers a moment to honour their memory and celebrate the love they brought into the world.

For many people, days like this can bring a mixture of emotions — comfort, sadness, gratitude, or a sense of longing. That’s why finding the right local support can make such a meaningful difference.

Find Local Bereavement Support on The Essex Map

Across Essex, many charities, hospices, community groups, and organisations provide compassionate support for those coping with loss. To help residents easily find this help, The Essex Map brings together local services in one accessible place.

You can use The Essex Map to discover:

  • Bereavement support groups

  • Counselling and emotional wellbeing services

  • Hospice remembrance activities

  • Community drop-ins and peer-support sessions

  • Practical support for families

  • Faith-based and non-faith remembrance events

👉 Explore local support at: www.essexmap.co.uk

Whether you’re looking for a quiet space to reflect, a group to share memories with, or professional guidance during a difficult time, The Essex Map can help you find what you need close to home.

🕯️ Supporting Light Up a Life Day in Your Community

Light Up a Life Day encourages individuals and communities to come together and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Many local groups hold remembrance events, candle-lighting ceremonies, tree-decorating activities, or moments of collective reflection.

If your organisation is taking part or offering support around this day, The Essex Map is a valuable place to make your services visible to residents across Essex.

✨ Are You a Bereavement Charity or Support Group?

If you provide bereavement support, counselling, remembrance events, hospice care, or any other related services, you can list your organisation for free on The Essex Map.

Adding your service helps local people find the support they need, especially on days like Light Up a Life Day when many seek comfort and community.

👉 Add your organisation to The Essex Map here: www.essexmap.co.uk (navigate to the “Add a Listing” section) or email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk

By joining the map, you’ll be contributing to a county-wide network of support that ensures no one has to face loss alone.

🌈 You Are Not Alone

Light Up a Life Day reminds us that while loss is deeply personal, support is something we can share. Whether you’re remembering someone special or looking for ways to support others, The Essex Map is here to help you connect with services that care.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Baby Loss Awareness Week (9–15 October): Support in Essex

Every October, Baby Loss Awareness Week brings families and communities together to remember lives lost too soon, raise awareness, and call for better support.

Why it Matters

Sadly, baby loss is more common than many realise:

  • 1 in 5 pregnancies in the UK ends in miscarriage.

  • In 2023 there were 2,545 stillbirths and 1,933 neonatal deaths in the UK.

  • A 2023 survey found half of UK adults have been personally affected by pregnancy or baby loss.

In Essex, NHS data shows that families continue to experience losses every month across local maternity units. Behind each number is a grieving family who deserves compassion and support.

Support & Change

Grief from baby loss can have lasting effects, with around 1 in 5 parents experiencing PTSD or prolonged depression after their loss. Support networks, remembrance services, and counselling can make a real difference.

Progress is being made nationally—such as calls for bereavement leave after miscarriage—but community-based support remains vital.

How Essex Can Help

  • Find support: Families can use www.essexmap.co.uk to discover local groups and services.

  • Offer support: If your organisation provides help for bereaved families, please add your details to the map—it’s free and ensures no one has to search alone.

  • Raise awareness: Share information and join in remembrance events like the global Wave of Light on 15 October.


💜 Together, we can ensure families in Essex know they are not alone.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News