News and presentations from todays conference focusing on Improving Adult Bereavement Care, Support & Services.
A personal story - How can we better support bereaved relatives?
Robert Stringer
Lived Experience Speaker
• bereavement and complicated grief
• what could be improved to support families and young people
• what needs to change
Robert sadly lost his son Hector at the age of 18 through suicide in 2011. He shared how his family have managed their grief and the work of Hector's House, a suicide prevention charity that offers support for those bereaved by suicide. Robert said he has learnt an awful lot about grief and bereavement, how to live and understand the language and people. He said the impact of a bereavement is huge on the family and also on the community and school. Hector's friends still keep in touch on anniversaries and with news of life events. Robert said grief is complicated and for those bereaved by suicide there is often a lack of closure and a lot of questions are left unanswered. There is often stigma and the bereaved family can become isolated. It is important to know that there is hope, it is possible to get through.
Current Models of Loss and Bereavement: Best Practice in Bereavement Care
Andy Langford Clinical Director Cruse Bereavement Support
• the impact of the pandemic
• meeting the needs of bereaved people
• recommendations for best practice in bereavement care
• ensuring bereavement care is of a high quality
• traumatic bereavement during Covid-19
• current models of loss and bereavement: what works? The evidence
• supporting the professionals who support bereaved people
• current models of loss and bereavement: what works? The evidence
• supporting the professionals who support bereaved people
Andy discussed bereavement models, the types of support available and what fits in where. He said peoples experience of bereavement changes over time and we need different things at different times. The grief doesn't diminish, our response changes. Andy said bereavement support services need:
- development - modernisation including new types of support
- working together - streamlining, linking regionally and networking
- staff and volunteers - working cohesively with care, training
- societal changes - increased awareness
He went on to share the evidence of what helps to ensure quality in bereavement care services, and what that looks like.