Who We Are

        The Botley Bereavement Group meeting at Hillier’s Garden Centre, Botley was established before the Covid pandemic as part of the Eastleigh based charity “Butterflies Bereavement and Friendship Group”.  After the pandemic things had inevitably changed and that applies to the parent charity, which had to start again.  It took a while for all the local groups to re-start because there was an initial reluctance to meet people from outside our “bubbles”.  When Hillier’s Garden Centre was ready to allow us back it took time for some of the ‘regulars’ to return, and for a while it looked as though the group was no longer needed.

        But we just needed a little patience, and before long a number of friends came along and soon we were welcoming new people.

        Unfortunately in the Spring of 2026 all appeals for funding of the core charity therapy team had yielded too little income to continue with the team in Eastleigh, so with a heavy heart it had to be closed.

       In practice our group meeting at Hillier’s were keen to continue on an informal basis.  We had never received financial support from the charity anyway, rather, we had collected on their behalf.

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      So we are delighted that we can continue to meet at the “Mulberry and Thyme Restaurant” in Hillier's Garden Centre.  We have taken the regularity of a Tuesday morning meeting to heart, and unless Hillier’s is actually closed, you will find us there.  Sometimes we are immediately visible, but sometimes they have a need to change where we are sitting.  This is not a problem because we know them and they know us, and they will direct you if necessary.​​​​​​​

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        We are open to anyone struggling with bereavement.  This is a place where you can talk to people in the same boat as yourself, either because “today” it has become too much and you just want to say why, or because you just want to chat and share, be it about the weather, the local football team (which one?), or the letter that arrived addressed to the deceased person…

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        We do not have a membership list.  However we can add you to a voluntary “WhatsApp” group if you wish.  It might make letting you know that for some unforeseen reason we are unable to meet – for example, a power cut in the neighbourhood; or, as the situation is right now, the diversion for Woodhouse Lane has left you lost in the wilderness of Hampshire!

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        We call ourselves “Botley Bereavement Group” to identify where we are and not to limit where you are!  We only make the observation that you have to find us.

 

        It was part of the charity's original intention that “Bereavement” might include those experiencing the slow loss of a loved one to dementia.  The Alzheimer’s Society suggested that there are 2 bereavements: first, when the person no longer recognises you, and second, after the death of that loved one.  Some of us have been through that experience too.