A COUNSELLING service with more than 20 years experience has pooled resources with a charity that specialises in end-of-life care at home.

Bereavement Care was set up in 1990 by volunteers and aimed to fill a gap of trained, local counsellors for the community - and has counselled hundreds of grieving people since then.

Now the service has merged with Herriot Hospice Homecare, a mobile hospice which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses in the comfort of their own homes in Richmondshire and Hambleton.

The partnership will mean counselling services will still be provided across the wide area served by Herriot Hospice Homecare - but with shorter waiting lists.

The hospice will now also be able to offer confidential bereavement care as ongoing support to carers.

The two companies working together will also aim to give better access to specialist palliative care workers, therapists and trained volunteer respite sitters, befrienders and drivers - to give support to patients and carers.

“The aim is to enhance access and expand the reach of bereavement services across Hambleton and Richmondshire,” said director of Herriot Hospice Homecare Liz Pollard.

“Everyone copes with grief in their own way - some find it helpful to talk with someone who is outside the family or social circle.

Sarah Glahome, a professional counsellor from Northallerton and a volunteer with Bereavement Care since 1991, said: “It will give us more opportunities to help more people, whether they be carers, family or friends – in fact anyone affected by someone’s death.

“I hope the community that has been served by both organisations over the years will be reassured that we will continue to offer the same high standards they have grown used to.”