Business Details
42 Years
experience
Bereavement Support Services in London
Established in 1984, the City and East London Bereavement Service (CELBS) has dedicated over four decades to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of grief. As a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation (number 1169797), we specialise in providing accessible, compassionate counselling and community-based support to adults in Tower Hamlets and surrounding areas. Our team of trained professionals offers one-to-one counselling, early bereavement support, and peer-led Grief Cafs, ensuring individuals receive tailored assistance regardless of when their loss occurred. With a commitment to accessibility, we deliver face-to-face, telephone, and online sessions, adhering to strict confidentiality protocols.Funded primarily through donations and grants, we maintain transparency in operations while upholding rigorous standards set by the Charity Commission. Our services, including 12 free counselling sessions and flexible support programmes, reflect our mission to normalise grief conversations and provide sustainable emotional care. By collaborating with healthcare professionals and local communities, we ensure our approach remains both innovative and deeply rooted in the practical needs of those we serve.
Services
1:1 Counselling
Early Bereavement Support
Grief Cafs
Telephone Sessions
Online Counselling
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We provide 12 free specialist counselling sessions per client
- Our counsellors offer face-to-face, phone, and Zoom sessions
- Registered Charity Incorporated Organisation with 40+ years experience
- Flexible early bereavement support tailored to individual needs
- Community-led Grief Cafs fostering peer connection
Associations and certifications
- Charity Commission
Services
1:1 Counselling
Specialist one-to-one counselling provides a confidential space to explore grief at your own pace. Sessions last 50 minutes weekly, available face-to-face, via phone, or Zoom. Our trained professionals help clients understand complex emotions and develop coping strategies, ensuring tailored support for both recent and long-term losses.
Early Bereavement Support
Targeted support for the critical initial months following loss. Up to four flexible sessions focus on emotional stabilisation, practical challenges like returning to work, and establishing coping mechanisms. Delivered by experienced practitioners specialising in acute grief responses, this service bridges immediate need and long-term healing.
Grief Cafs
Monthly peer-led gatherings offering informal support through shared experiences. Held every second Monday at The Canvas, Old Ford Road, these sessions provide a non-pressured environment for connection. Facilitators ensure respectful interaction while allowing attendees to engage at their comfort level, fostering communal healing.
Telephone Counselling
Accessible counselling via phone for those unable to attend in-person sessions. Maintaining the same confidentiality and structure as face-to-face meetings, this service ensures geographical barriers don't prevent access to specialist grief support, with sessions scheduled at mutually convenient times.
Online Counselling
Secure Zoom-based counselling sessions offering flexibility for clients preferring digital interaction. This service maintains therapeutic boundaries while providing the same depth of support as in-person meetings, with technical assistance available to ensure accessibility for all users.
People
Colin Murray Parkes
Founder
A pioneering figure in bereavement studies, Dr. Parkes established CELBS in 1984. His internationally recognised research on grief processes informs our service model, combining academic rigour with compassionate practice to support thousands through complex bereavement experiences.
Questions
Are your counselling sessions free of charge?
Yes, we offer 12 free specialist counselling sessions per client, funded through donations and grants.
What locations offer face-to-face counselling?
Face-to-face sessions occur at St Margaret's House, Bethnal Green (E2 9PL) and Bromley by Bow Centre (E3 3BT).
Do you provide support for recent bereavements?
Our Early Bereavement Support service offers up to four flexible sessions focusing on immediate coping strategies and practical concerns.
How are counsellors qualified?
All counsellors hold relevant qualifications and undergo specific bereavement support training aligned with national standards.
