Care for the Family will hold a two-day course in the summer to help people with the difficulties they now face after the loss of a spouse or partner with a particular focus on those who have suffered such a loss at an early age.

"The loss of a spouse or partner is one of the most stressful and difficult events to befall a person at any age, but when that loss occurs at an early age, there are many additional challenges, including family responsibilities and financial difficulties," said Care for the Family.

'A Different Journey', Care for the Family's special network for those who have lost a partner early in life, has organised a special weekend called 'Breakthrough', to take place in Somerset this June for people facing such a loss.

"When people lose a partner, they also lose their hopes and dreams for the future," said Bob Jones, project manager for A Different Journey.

"They may have had an idea of how their lives together would have unfolded. But then, suddenly, they find themselves alone and on a very different journey to the one they had imagined."

Jones has personal experience of the difficulties faced by those who have lost a partner at an early age, following his first wife's death. He is now married to Joy, who also lost her first husband at an early age.

"Working with other bereaved adults has made me realise how important it is to know you are not alone and that others have been through a similar experience, felt the same emotions and dealt with the same problems," said Jones.

The Breakthrough weekend will take place at the Ammerdown Centre, Radstock, Somerset, from Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June.

The weekend costs £115 per person, which includes accommodation and all meals and refreshments from Friday evening until lunchtime Sunday.

Places can be reserved by contacting Care for the Family, Garth House, FREEPOST (CF4636), Cardiff, CF15 7GZ or by phoning (029) 2081 0800. You can also visit www.careforthefamily.org.uk/breakthrough