love@mettaminds.co.uk
Sometimes the best support comes from simply knowing you're not facing things alone.
Over the last nine weeks, Mettaminds has been proud to work alongside Walsall Bereavement Support Service (WBSS) to deliver a bereavement support group for people waiting to access one-to-one counselling.
Waiting lists can be difficult. Grief doesn't pause while you wait for an appointment. Together, we wanted to create a safe, welcoming space where people could meet others, talk openly, learn practical wellbeing techniques, and simply be heard.
Five people joined the group, and what happened over those weeks reminded us why partnership working matters.
The feedback spoke for itself.
Participants told us they had found confidence again, felt more hopeful, developed more positive ways of thinking, and discovered a new perspective on life. One person described moving "from sadness to happiness", while another said the sessions had helped them become more open to new experiences. Others spoke about feeling supported, listened to, and encouraged by the kindness shown throughout the programme.
Perhaps just as importantly, every participant attended consistently, showing the value of creating a space where people genuinely wanted to come back each week.
The impact has already been encouraging. Two members have now come off the counselling waiting list, and one participant is even considering whether they still need individual counselling because of the progress they've made through the group.
That isn't because group support replaces counselling—it doesn't. Instead, it shows that when people receive the right support at the right time, they can begin healing sooner, build resilience, and feel less alone while waiting for specialist help.
Neither organisation could have achieved this in quite the same way on its own.
WBSS brings years of expertise in bereavement support and counselling. Mettaminds brings a holistic approach to wellbeing, creating spaces that encourage reflection, connection, mindfulness and personal growth.
When organisations with shared values work together, communities benefit.
Partnership working allows us to share knowledge, combine strengths, reduce duplication, and most importantly, provide more meaningful support for local people. It isn't about who delivers the service—it's about making sure people receive the support they need when they need it.
The end of this programme isn't the end of the journey.
The group has told us they'd love to continue meeting socially, so we're now exploring the creation of a fortnightly wellbeing coffee group where people can stay connected, support one another and continue building friendships.
We're also planning a new bereavement support group, giving more people on the waiting list the opportunity to access early support.
More excitingly, this partnership has sparked conversations about what else we can achieve together. Mettaminds and WBSS are already exploring new ideas and collaborative projects that will continue to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, and make support more accessible across Walsall.
Because when organisations trust each other, share a common purpose, and put people first, good things happen.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part, shared their experiences, supported one another, and made the group such a welcoming place.
Here's to building more partnerships, creating more opportunities, and reminding people that they never have to face life's challenges alone.
Together, we create hope. Together, we build stronger communities.
