Overview
Talking About Loss is a Yorkshire-based charity founded by Jacqui Gunn in 2019 after the loss of her father. The charity offers grief support in Yorkshire through community meetings and specialised therapy groups, including those for men’s mental health. The charity helps people share experiences, easing the isolation of grief. Funds from Grants for Good will support the expansion of the charity’s men’s mental health initiative.
Talking About Loss was founded by Jacqui Gunn, who started the charity after the untimely loss of her father. Struggling with her grief, she felt isolated, as those around her seemed hesitant to talk about her dad, fearing they would upset her. Jacqui wanted the opposite – she wanted to keep his memory alive through conversation.
Jacqui’s search for a supportive space led her to create Talking About Loss in 2019, based in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire. With an average of 24 attendees at the group, Talking About Loss has helped many people find solace in shared experiences and has become a vital part of the grief support network in Yorkshire.
Since its inception, the charity has grown significantly, providing weekly community meetings and specialised therapy groups across multiple Yorkshire locations: Pocklington, Market Weighton, Driffield, York, Selby, Snaith, and Bradford. Recognising the different needs of various communities, the charity has introduced specific therapy groups for young people, baby loss, and men’s mental health.
Men often find it difficult to talk about their struggles, so the Men’s Therapy Group offers a safe, supportive environment led by a trained counsellor. This group provides focused guidance and helps men take the crucial first step toward better mental health. Launched in Pocklington, the initiative has already fostered strong connections, with participants continuing to support each other beyond the sessions.
The £5,000 grant from John Good Group will support the expansion of the men’s mental health group, allowing twice-monthly sessions and covering costs for venue hire, counsellors, and refreshments. This support ensures the charity can continue growing, reaching new locations, and providing more grief support across Yorkshire.
Being shortlisted is incredible. We are a small, high impact charity open to all voluntary sector leaders across South Yorkshire. Many of the charities we support are small or medium sized organisations, the smallest being a food bank and community larder operating from the founder’s own house.
Support for us means support for a wide range of diverse charities from across the region, resulting in a significant impact for a large number of communities and service users.
Martin Singer
