Learning to be kind this National Grief Awareness Week
Dudley Council is launching a bereavement kindness toolkit created with input from local community support groups.
The toolkit is being launched to coincide with National Grief Awareness Week which runs from 2 – 8 December.
The bereavement kindness toolkit is aimed at everyone who knows someone who has been bereaved to help give them both the tools and confidence to approach and support the person who is grieving.
It’s full of practical tips and sensitive ways of helping or talking to someone who is dealing with the death of a loved one.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:
We often feel sorry for people who have been bereaved but we may not necessarily know how or have the confidence to help. Some people feel awkward and are worried about saying or doing something clumsy so may avoid talking to someone going through a bereavement. Our toolkit offers tips to overcome these fears and truly help.
Our research has shown that there are so many small acts of kindness you can do to provide that support. Whether it’s offering specific practical help like going shopping or looking after children, going through old photos to share memories of happy times, going for a walk together or just putting a note in your diary to remember to call regularly and on dates that were important to them.
Just taking time to talk and listen can mean so much. We hope that the toolkit offers helpful advice for people who want to support those they love.
Dr Sabina Patel, Chief Executive, Muslim Bereavement & Support Service, said:
This toolkit offers clear and helpful advice to guide family and friends through the difficult process of supporting those who have lost loved ones.
The tips have been put together following consultation with local people on what helped them, or what they would have wished for, when they were bereaved
Thanks also goes to volunteers at Hope House, Lower Gornal Place of Welcome, Carrie Blount, Places of Welcome & Buddying Facilitator, volunteers at Mary Stevens Hospice and the Muslim Bereavement Support Service for giving their thoughts and everyone else who provided their feedback for this toolkit.
For more advice, information and to download a copy of the toolkit go to www.lets-get.com/bereavement