We’ve received funding from North East London ICB, National Lottery Community Fund and MuchLoved to run a range of grief support activities in the London Boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
This includes Grief Cafes and Grief Awareness Talks.
Our activities are open to those aged 18 and over and are FREE to attend.
Please note: Some activities are only open to residents from Redbridge due to the nature of the funding.
Grief Cafes in Walthamstow and Wanstead
“I just attended for the first time not knowing what to expect. It felt like a warm hug. So great just to have the space to talk”. Grief Cafe Participant
Our Grief Cafes are an informal and supportive place where people can come together to share and discuss their experiences of grief and loss, and connect with others who understand.
We know that grief can, at times, feel isolating so attending a Grief Cafe and sharing experiences and feelings with others can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Also, hearing diverse stories and perspectives on grief can help us make sense of our own loss and grief. We might learn new or different coping strategies and ways of navigating the grieving process.
At our Grief Cafes we sit in small groups so it’s easy to talk, or just listen, and each group has a ‘table host’ to ensure everyone is able to participate in the way they wish to.
It’s important to note that our Grief Cafes aren’t therapy or educational sessions. They’re simply places for people to gather, share, listen, and support each other.
Whatever your loss, and whether this is anticipated, recent or a long time ago, everyone is welcome.
“It was really useful to come to a space and talk about my feelings and hear other people’s experiences and stories. It can be scary but trust that this space will make you feel welcome and you are in the same position as everyone else. It’s definitely worth coming. I’m glad I did.” Grief Cafe participant.
Walthamstow Grief Cafes
These are open to everyone.
Dates: Every third Saturday of the month at 3-5.15pm. (See below for dates)
Venue: East of Eden Cafe, 14 Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow, E17 4QP
Booking information: Places are limited so booking is required. See below for dates, times and to book your place.
Wanstead Grief Cafes
These are open to residents of Redbridge and those with a Redbridge GP.
Dates: Every third Thursday of the month at 6.30-8.30pm. (See below for dates)
Venue: Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road, Wanstead, E11 2RQ
Booking information: Places are limited so booking is required. Book your place
here.
Grief Awareness talks
Over the last few years at our Grief Cafes, so many thoughtful conversations have emerged, about the different ways grief shows up, and the things that can feel hard to talk about.
From May 2026, thanks to funding from MuchLoved, we’ll be offering a series of Grief Talks, each one exploring a different aspect of grief that has emerged from these conversations.
Each session will include a short presentation from a guest speaker, followed by small group discussions in a grief café style. These discussions are gently facilitated and offer space to reflect, listen, and (if you want to) share.
There is no pressure to speak or participate — you’re very welcome to simply come and listen.
We’re still finalising some of the details, but the planned sessions include:
Topic: Managing anger and guilt in grief
Date: Thursday 28th May 2026, 6.30–8.15pm
Venue: The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow E17 7HA
Topic: Neurodiversity and grief
Date: Wednesday 24th June 2026, 6.30–8.15pm
Venue: The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow E17 7HA
Topic: LGBTQ+ grief
Date: TBC
Topic: Basic Grief Awareness
Date: TBC
Booking information: If you’d like to be the first to hear when bookings open (and have priority access to spaces), you can
leave your details here.
