A GRIEVING mother and daughter have launched a monthly cafe for people who have lost loved ones.

Kayla Shepherd's husband Andy died suddenly in 2017.

Kayla said she and daughter Millie, 11, could not find an adequate way to deal with their feelings.

So they started the charity Andy's Angels and began running a "play café" to provide a safe space for families, particularly children, who are "navigating their way through grief " after losing a loved one.

Kayla, 42, from Worthing, said: “I founded the Grief Play Cafe after I suddenly lost my husband in September 2017.

"We found that when we lost Andy there wasn't a lot of support for children in Worthing.

"Millie only really had help at school, which was great, but it wasn't really something she could tap into when she needed it. There just isn't a lot out there for children who are grieving to help them through it."

The Argus: Andy’s Angels a Worthing based charity launched their Grief Play Cafe last month. photo: Cherry Red PhotographyAndy’s Angels a Worthing based charity launched their Grief Play Cafe last month. photo: Cherry Red Photography

Kayla's goal was to create a space that families could go to and feel supported by one another and by volunteers who have experiences with grief.

The cafe, at the Hope Hive in St Dunstan's Road, Worthing, sells hot and soft drinks and a small selection of snacks. It also has a play area for children as well as an art area and a lending library containing grief help books.

Kayla says they are also trying to build relationships with local businesses such as gardeners, electricians and plumbers so that if a family is in need there is someone they can go to through the cafe.

"It's not just about losing that loved one, it's about everything that goes on at the same time. We want to help them feel not so alone, it can be a really lonely place," Kayla said.

Currently the cafe runs on the last Sunday of every month from 10am to 12.30pm but she hopes that in the future it will be able to open more regularly.

"We were so happy with the feedback from the launch in September. We had a number of families turn up and it was a success. We set off two doves, like Millie and I did at Andy's funeral. It was really lovely and symbolic," said Kayla.

The Argus: The next cafe will take place on Sunday October 31. Photo: Cherry Red PhotographyThe next cafe will take place on Sunday October 31. Photo: Cherry Red Photography

The cafe is completely free and is run by volunteers and funded by businesses that have donated grants. It has received food donations from the local Co-op and Waitrose as well.

Businesses have been offered the chance to sponsor the cafe every month and the money will go towards renting the venue and covering costs of activities. Kayla said she has lined up sponsors for the year.

The Grief Play Cafe was also recently awarded a National Lottery Grant which will support it throughout the next year too.

The next cafe will take place on Sunday October 31. Find out more at www.facebook.com/andysangels21.

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