Grieving Kilburnie mum sets up bereavement group after cross county trip to get support

A grieving Kilbirnie mum insists setting up a bereavement group in the town has helped her on her journey to heal following the death of her son.

Renee Philips lost son Jamie to suicide in April 2023.

Admitting she has been living in a ‘blackhole’ of despair ever since, Renee found the nearest suicide support group in Edinburgh, meaning a 140-mile round trip whenever she needed help.

Family and friends encouraged Renee to think about setting up one of her own, believing such a move might give her a renewed sense of purpose.

Speaking exclusively to Clyde 1 Ayrshire, Renee said: “For a while, the isolation was really hard. I have a son who stays in Edinburgh, and he went to a support group so we decided we would go along to the same one.

“It was a big travel. The group was mainly for suicide, but I found it really tough at that point in time, quite traumatic, and I decided not to go back.

“As much as the group was fine, it just wasn’t for me.”

Renee insists she couldn’t find anything local that dealt with the aftermath of suicide, only finding online help or the offer of a phone call.

But she was looking for in-person help, and it was then she began thinking about setting up her own monthly meeting.

“In trauma, no matter how you look at it, you need to find something to unpack it, or you are just going to get worse,” Renee continued.

“My husband, my sons and I, we were in a blackhole, and we needed help.

“I was at a stage where I would have tried anything to help ease the pain.”

Renee’s group is aimed at mother’s who have lost children, although she admits she would never turn anyone away.

It currently takes place once a month, based at the Bridgend Community Centre in Kilbirnie, with Renee hoping to put on more night as it grows.