Testimonials

“I sadly lost my mum in June of this year. When you lose someone, you don’t know where to turn to. Luckily a friend of mine has connections with Rowland Brothers funeral directors, so she referred me to the Foundation in September. I will be forever grateful to her and the team at Rowland Brothers Foundation. I would say that I wasn’t really ready to talk to anyone until after about 3 months after her passing, but I cannot recommend this service enough! They are so easy to talk to. We don’t just talk about my loss, but also about other aspects of my life. They do fantastic work within the community. I don’t know where I’d be now if I didn’t have this weekly telephone support. When I’m able to, I will be giving a donation to this worthy cause that is very close to my heart.”

– Helen, South Croydon

“My experience with Justine in bereavement counselling is very positive – I would open up and share in total honesty with her. After a traumatic bereavement, I had very deep rejection issues which I struggled to cope with. It has been a great pleasure to be connected with Justine.  Trusting her weekly input and advice, I do not feel so alone anymore.”

– May, Croydon

“I first met Christine from Rowland Brothers when I lost my dad. It was a very difficult time but I was keen to speak to someone other than my family or friends, someone who had the experience of helping people like me through a difficult time, as sometimes it’s not easy to talk to those closest to you. Christine was very attentive and understood where I was coming from. She was very easy to talk to and I enjoyed my sessions. After Christine left, she was replaced by Justine. Although i expected it to be a little difficult to start again with someone new, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to adjust with her and the takeover process went very smoothly. Justine is understanding, patient and friendly and although the loss has been difficult to deal with, I really look forward to our sessions.”

– Abbie

“We are particularly grateful for the help that Charles, your counsellor gave us in obtaining financial assistance for the costs and advice on tenancy issues.”

– E.M. Croydon

“Your service was exceptional and we are especially grateful for the counselling you provided subsequent to the funeral.”

– J.M.N. – Croydon

“Thank you for guiding us through the arrangements and for the lovely funeral service. Thank you too for Charles, your counsellor’s practical help in sourcing financial aid for the expenses.”

– A.S. London SE19

“I just wanted to share about the zoom support group; even though I was very nervous, it was extremely helpful. Hearing the honesty and willingness of the other group members to share their own experiences, or just to listen, has been so good. by listening. Looking forward to more and thank you for organizing this.”

– Saida

“The session was very insightful into the different stages of grief and how these are very personal to every individual who loses someone. It was also a good reminder for the group to recognise that grief does not only come about after the death of a person. Grief can form as a result of ending a marriage or a friendship, or losing a job. Apart from giving a very helpful and relatable anecdote (re: Chris losing his own father and going through his own process of grief), the session also acted as a therapeutic support group of its own. Many individuals wished to speak on their own experiences of loss and it was great to see how many people felt comfortable with being very vulnerable. Chris was very helpful in responding to these individuals and came across as very understanding and non-judgemental, even when he was “challenged” by one of our members in their interpretation and feeling of grief. Again, this highlighted how grief can be very much individual to each person and is not a “straightforward” emotion. Chris was very insightful and gave very helpful answers to those asking about the process of grief. He also gave enough time for people to speak and interact. Overall, it was a great session which our attendees truly enjoyed and benefitted from.”

– Young At Heart (Over 60s) – Bereavement support session by Chris Roe

“I am the chairman of a thriving weekly community forum called Croydon My Ends. We have significant community involvement from various CEOS, businesses as well as bereaved families, church leaders, politicians, key community charities and many more.

I am writing to thank Chris Roe who has represented the Rowland Brothers on many levels. The  impact he has made in the community of Croydon has been so significant that, in a meeting on the 6th November 2020, a key community leader stated that if anything happened to a loved one of theirs, they would not only contact Rowland Brothers to organise the funeral, but that they would also want Chris and his team to be closely involved with their bereavement aftercare.

Many organisations were previously only aware of Rowland Brothers regarding funerals;, but so many people have now become aware of the Rowland Brothers Foundation bereavement aftercare part of the organisation. Bereavement and Trauma support is extremely necessary in these times of COVID 19 and during tragic times of serious youth violence in Croydon. Thanks to Chris’ very effective community networking, Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor of London, was very keen to know more about the Bereavement Support offered by the Rowland Brothers Foundation, as are  many other community organisations and a growing number of churches in the area.

I want to say a massive thank you to Rowland Brothers; at least three parents who have lost their children to knife crime spoke highly of the services offered by yourselves, and have formed trusting relationships with Chris.

Again, I cannot express my appreciation enough.”

– Anthony King, Chairman, Croydon My Ends

‘I am writing to share the remarkable impact that the bereavement counselling provided by Rachael has had on our vulnerable students. The dedication and effort she puts into supporting our students is immeasurable, and the positive changes we have observed are truly inspiring.

Our academy is a multi-faith, diverse institution, with a high proportion of pupil premium students, many of whom face significant challenges, including those from deprived backgrounds. Rachael’s counselling services are crucial in helping these students cope with the loss of loved ones and manage their grief. The approach that she uses is both gentle and empowering, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual student.

We have seen notable improvements in the confidence of students receiving counselling. Many are now more willing to express their emotions to peers and staff, which is a significant step forward. Rachael has succeeded in breaking down barriers, creating an environment in which these students feel safe and cared for. This has undoubtedly contributed to their academic and personal growth.

It is particularly important to note that the bereavement counselling is not just a form of emotional support but a vital resource for our students, who are often dealing with profound losses. Without the continuous funding from Rowland

Brothers, we would not be able to provide this essential service for our most vulnerable students. Continuing this support will allow us to reach even more students, offering them the tools to manage their grief and helping them thrive in a challenging world.

On behalf of the staff and students at the academy, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the ongoing support. We truly appreciate your commitment to our students’ well-being.

Very best wishes, Lisa, head of year Oasis Academy, Shirley Park