A STOURPORT woman has told how she was saved from a "very dark place" following several family tragedies thanks to a chance encounter at Kidderminster Job Centre.

Kaye Morgan, 64, suffered multiple bereavements in the space of two devastating years, including several close friends, her partner Allen, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and two aunts.

She finally reached breaking point when her 94-year-old mum Margaret died of pneumonia in January 2019.

Kidderminster Shuttle: In December 2016, Kaye's partner Allen passed away at the age of 72 after suffering from Alzheimer's diseaseIn December 2016, Kaye's partner Allen passed away at the age of 72 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease

Kaye said she had lost count of the number of times she had broken down in public due to her grief.

“I just wasn’t coping at all well,” said Kaye. “I remember going to the Job Centre in Kidderminster and luckily for me KEMP was having a coffee morning on the same floor.

“I was in a terrible state. I could not stop crying but two lovely ladies took me under their wing. They listened and made me a cup of tea. I am so grateful to them.

“That was the day when I knew I had to get some help."

Still in tears, Kaye got into her car and drove to KEMP Hospice in Kidderminster.

She said: “I was then taken into one of the rooms there and I said ‘I need your help’.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Following the death of her father, Wint, in 2008, Kaye became a carer for her mum MargaretFollowing the death of her father, Wint, in 2008, Kaye became a carer for her mum Margaret

“A nice lady took my details and sat down with me for a while. We talked and that started the ball rolling.

“It was a huge relief as I felt like I could open up and deal with this.

“I had 10 appointments over a length of time with lovely Cathy and we really hit it off.

“She helped me to get things into a bit of perspective and I felt lighter and more equipped to carry on.”

Kay added: “KEMP came at the right time because I was slipping further into the abyss."

“They got me out of a very dark place that I didn’t want to be in.

“It had been a really tough few years due to multiple bereavements. It was just one crisis after another.

“It is only looking back now that you think how did I get through all of that? But you find the strength from somewhere.”

Kaye is now urging more grieving people across Wyre Forest to reach out to the hospice for help.

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She said: "I am great advocate for counselling. Whenever I have conversations with friends who I know are struggling, I say maybe you should get some counselling.

“Some say ‘Oh no, it’s not for me, I don’t need it,' when you know they do for different reasons, as we all go through periods of crisis in our lives.

“KEMP is a place where light and hope shine as soon as you walk in.

“You feel how caring the atmosphere is and witness how much love and time is devoted to everyone who goes there, whether it's a resident, a family member or someone like me who needs a lifeline.

“It is an amazing place run by amazing people. Where would we be without them?"

KEMP’s day hospice doors are closed but its services are not. Call 01562 756000 for more information on the support available.