A new bereavement support service for people who have lost a friend or family member to asbestos-related disease will be launched by the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST) on Saturday 12 March.

The bereavement service, which will operate across the East Midlands, will be officially launched by the charity, DAST, at an event taking place at The Spot in Derby.

The launch event is themed around ‘The Elephant in the Room’, in reference to a poem about grief by Terry Kettering and the common term used to describe difficult situations that people struggle to talk about.

The new support service will offer guidance, information and advice to anyone bereaved through an asbestos related disease.

Established in 2002, DAST became a registered charity in 2007 and was set up to help, support and advise people who have suffered ill-health as a result of asbestos exposure.

Neil Baines, a specialist asbestos solicitor based at Thompsons Solicitors’ Nottingham office, said: “At Thompsons we have a long history of fighting for people affected by asbestos exposure and understand the importance of ensuring victims, and their loved ones, are properly supported post-diagnosis and long-term.

“For families devastated by the loss of a loved one to asbestos disease, charities such as DAST provide invaluable services, and this new bereavement service will offer much needed support, advice and guidance to grieving families of asbestos victims in the East Midlands region.”