Bereavement Care is a well-respected local charity providing quality bereavement care and support for over 35 years for adults and children living in the London Boroughs of Harrow and Hillingdon and neighbouring areas, regardless of age, gender, sexual preference, marital or socio-economic status, religion, ethnic or cultural background.
The charity was initially set up in 1981 as Harrow Churches Bereavement Visiting Scheme (HCBVS) through the Anglican Harrow Deanery. In 2000 it became an independent charity (Registered Charity Number 1081257) and soon afterwards changed its name to Harrow Bereavement Care. Although primarily supporting bereaved children and adults in Harrow, there has been a long standing affiliation with bereavement groups in Hillingdon and Barnet. When the national bereavement charity, Cruse, withdrew from Hillingdon, Harrow Bereavement Care stepped in to fill the void.
In 2014, the Trustees took the decision to open a Charitable Incorporated Organisation named Bereavement Care to fully reflect the wider geographical area which the charity now supports.
There are approximately 150 volunteers who provide the support to the bereaved clients. The volunteers are members of bereavement groups located in community organisations (e.g. medical centres, churches, synagogues etc.). Each group is led by an experienced bereavement visitor, who will provide supervisory support to their group members.