Local charity launches bereavement support and new youth services.

Eastnor Lodge and Herefordshire Freemasons have recently donated to Hope Support Services to enable their expansion into Ledbury. Originally from Ross-on-Wye, the charity supports children and young people facing family illness and bereavement. The charity is expanding its reach in Ledbury, thanks to grants from Herefordshire Community Foundation and other local sources. Recently, the charity launched youth groups for under-11s and teenagers, alongside a bereavement support group. The initiative is already attracting engagement, notably boys who can be challenging to reach in times of difficulty, with plans for additional mixed groups in the future.

Community collaboration features strongly, as the charity partners with LEAF’s (Locally Encouraging All to Flourish) youth groups for introductory activities and prepares for a presence at the Ledbury Youth Spaces launch event. Thanks to the donation, the Wellbeing Adviser, Laura Burgess, is now delivering both group and one-to-one support in person, marking a significant step in fostering local involvement and wellbeing among young people.

The picture shows Paul Finlay, who oversees Charitable giving at Eastnor Lodge, together with Laura Burgess of Hope Support Services.