Support Groups

Eden’s Trust was founded by Elli Galvani following the sudden and tragic death of her beautiful daughter Eden at the age of six. Elli acknowledged that there was a lack of services for people who ‘really’ knew what she could possibly be feeling while she grieved for her daughter.

Elli’s aim in creating the Eden’s Trust guided support groups and workshops programme is to offer a specialised service to those who have lost a child or sibling, to talk and discuss ways of trying to fill the void she knows is there.

We offer a guided support therapy programme of workshops (‘Begin to Heal’), twice a month drop-in groups (‘The Healing Place’) monthly drop-in support groups for bereaved siblings (‘Say Hello’), and one-to-one, family and couples counselling. All of our groups and counselling sessions are FREE to attend. If you would like to come to a group or you know of someone who would benefit from this support, please contact us in confidence by email or by calling Elli on 07814 550 375.

‘Say Hello’ monthly drop-in support group for bereaved siblings

Our support group for bereaved siblings runs on the second Monday of every month and is facilitated by Shelly Khaled, an Integrative Counsellor and a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Shelly’s experience is in working with children and young people. He uses art, narratives, DVDs and YouTube clips to enable group attendees to use metaphor and share their thoughts and feelings in a safe, comfortable environment. Shelly will support young people and encourage them to share their loss, and explore their current feelings and mindset along with highlighting their strengths and working with their new identity. He does this at a pace dictated by the group. ‘Say Hello’ is open to anybody who has lost a brother or sister and needs support to help them come out of ‘the other side of bereavement’. For further information about the group, call us on 07814 550 375 or email us.

Dates: On the last Monday of every month, from 19:00 to 21:00.

Venue: Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, E11 2NT (click here for map).

‘The Healing Place’ Drop-In Support Groups

‘The Healing Place’ is a support group for those who have lost children. In Wanstead, London E11 we meet on the first and third Monday of every month (except for public holidays).

The sessions, which last two hours, are open sessions for anyone who has suffered the loss of a child, to come and share, and also for those who have gone through the ‘Begin to Heal’ programme, so there is some continuation for them. All of us are here because we are grieving parents, all at different stages in our journey through our bereavements, and we find it helpful to be with other people who have experienced something similar.

The groups are facilitated by a counsellor who allows us the time to talk and to support each other, and who also gives us information and viewpoints that are thought-provoking and help us to see things differently. It’s a place where we can help others by using our own experiences, and have other people’s experiences help us.

We know only too well that this is a massive step to take and that attending a group for the first time can be quite daunting especially if you are on your own, but it is a step in the right direction. Call Elli Galvani on 07814 550 375 and she will come out to meet you and go in with you – you will be welcomed and supported.

MIM – Men in Mind

Our support group for bereaved Dads is held on the 2nd Monday of every month.
Everyone grieves differently. Societal stereotypes and expectations discourage men from displaying open tears. Men by their very nature tend to hold back on talking about their feelings.

This group allows men to come together without the worry of being considered as weak and unableto cope following a bereavement. Men can turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms and fear exclusion if they open up about their feelings. Our counsellors work with them and support them through their pain and distress.

‘Begin to Heal’ guided support therapy programme

‘Begin to Heal’ was developed by experts in the field of bereavement. Part of the program includes providing strategies on how to continue after the loss of a child. Participants will learn how to engage in the world again and continue with their lives, albeit differently. The workshops are run by Eden’s Trust counsellors, specialised in the area of bereavement and children/young people services.
A leaflet containing information about the ‘Begin to Heal’ program can be viewed/downloaded here. For further information, please email us or call Elli Galvani in confidence on 07814 550375.

Dates: Check here for any future dates of our ‘Begin to Heal’ workshops.

An information leaflet for the ‘Begin to Heal’ programme can be viewed and/or downloaded here. For any questions, please email us or call Elli Galvani in confidence on 07814 550 375.

Feedback from ‘Begin to Heal’ attendees:
  • “I was a little nervous about attending these groups but am so glad I did. This was not just a support group but also a learning session on how to work on our grief and put in place coping strategies to be able to function as best as possible. Meeting others who ‘knew’ first hand how I felt, was a real comfort to me.”
  • “Hearing the stories of others, and offering and being offered support was of immense value.”
E11 Venue

Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, E11 2NT (click here for map).
Dates: The first and third Monday of every month (19:00-21:00) (excluding public holidays)