A welcoming space for anyone—whether you've experienced grief or not—to connect, share feelings, ideas and experiences around love & loss.

This gathering is an inclusive space, open to people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and beliefs. You’re invited to share your experiences and reflections around death and grief—but there’s no pressure to speak. Listening and being present is enough.

Situated in the gardens of Formby Library, there will be a moment to make simple, no-sew memory flags - something to take home, or leave to be displayed with care and gently fray over time.

We keep gatherings small, limited to 12 people maximum, so booking is essential.

The garden is fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility via the back of the car park. Refreshments (hot & cold) and cakes will be provided.

Please let us know your access or dietary requirements when booking, so we can make the day comfortable & welcoming for you.

This Grief Gathering is hosted by librarian, Sarah Jones and artist Josh Coates who have experiences of grief.

We're living at a time when many people find death and grief - our own grief or other people's - almost impossible to talk about. We don't know what to say, what to do, or how to act. So we stay silent, we pretend that grief doesn't exist, or we hide it. This Grief Thing pushes against this, by opening up conversations about grief and making it visible.

At The Library warmly thanks This Grief Thing - a project that invites people to think, talk and learn about grief. It was created by the two artists at Fevered Sleep, which inspired the Grief Gatherings.