HERE at St Richard’s Hospice, we understand that the death of a loved one can be devastating and can bring about stronger emotions than we have previously experienced.

When a death has been sudden or traumatic, bereavement can result in particularly challenging emotions. As a leader in the field, St Richard’s Hospice has been commissioned by NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group to lead and host the Bereavement Support South Worcestershire service to help those who have experienced bereavement from a sudden death, including suicide and accidents, which leaves people no time to prepare for their loss.

This free service provides people with information and links to organisations which may be able to offer practical help or emotional support.

Our bereavement specialists can offer a telephone helpline for those who want to talk to someone or one-to-one counselling for those encountering complex grief.

In addition, we provide education and training for a wide range of organisations to help health, social care and education professionals develop the skills they need to recognise indications of grief and be able to offer support to the bereaved.

Since its inception in 2012, the service has grown significantly and we have been pleased to help around 300 bereaved adults, young people and children each year to manage their grief following the death of a loved one.

One person who used the service told us: “Thank you very much. You were incredibly helpful when I was in a very bad place and you have also enabled me to see that my life can go on and that I deserve to enjoy it.”

Anyone needing bereavement support can contact the service via their GP, or by calling 01905 760934 or by visiting the website bereavementsupportworcestershire.org.uk

SARAH POPPLESTONE-HELM, HEAD OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES