A community bereavement support network has been set up, following a new approach by Torfaen County Borough Council. 
 
The council's Building Resilient Communities team heard about plans by Richmond Road Baptists Church, in Cwmbran, to set up a bereavement support group earlier this year.
 
It was also aware another group had been set up at Bethlehem Chapel, in Blaenavon, and there was a separate group which met at Merchant's Hill Baptist Church in Pontnewynydd.
 
Kate Noyes and Sophie Griffiths, from the Building Resilient Communities team, put the three groups in touch with each other, together with Two Locks Community Church, in Cwmbran, which was also considering offering bereavement support.
 
The team offered to pay for 10 volunteers to take part in Cruse bereavement training and the new collective was successful in applying for a community activity grant to help it.

Cllr Fiona Cross, executive member for communities, said: "The Bereavement Collective is a great example of how different groups identified the same need within their communities and by working together, with support, they have come up with a sustainable, resilient solution that will make a big difference to many people."  
 
For more details go to the Torfaen Council website.