Background Responding to emerging need. Whatever stage of the bereavement process you are in, you can always seek online support. Many choose this style of therapy because grieving about their loved ones happens from the privacy of their own homes. One post on Facebook or Twitter can take the place of fifty or more conversations. You may have dreaded the thought of telling people over and over again about a death or how you are coping and social media gives you the opportunity to tell people all at once. Why say it yourself when you can tweet a beautiful quote that says it for you? Our aim is to develop an online support group, which will be run by trained bereavement volunteers. The Group aims will be to provide:

• A chance for people to share their grief with other bereaved members.

• A place for people to talk about their loved ones without feeling unwelcome or uncomfortable.

• A safe place to post poetry, photographs, journals or articles about their loved one who has died.

• An opportunity for people to meet locals who can offer support, many times people who meet online and live in the same area often get together.

• A chance for people to feel less lonely in their grief.

• A place for people to learn coping skills, stress management techniques and ways to relax.

• Advice and information following bereavement.

Methods During initial assessment for bereavement support patients will be provided with a ‘Online Bereavement Group’ leaflet which will provide details including. How do I join the group? How might the group offer support? And Confidentiality and record keeping. Once a member of the group, patients will be supported by other online members and bereavement volunteers.