Great Oaks is offering a range of bereavement support to any family member or friend of a person who has used the services of Great Oaks in any way and at any time for example - attending the day hospice, having some complimentary therapy or accessing any of the support whilst at home.

We may at times also be able to offer bereavement support to people who have had no connection to Great Oaks previously. Please see comments further down the page.

The process of offering bereavement support normally begins when we hear of someone’s death. A member of the team will send a card of condolence. A leaflet which gives information about bereavement support and practical issues that may arise is included.

After six weeks the person is contacted by telephone, just to check how they are and to remind them support is available if and when they need it. Often this can be a time when people can feel especially vulnerable and isolated as family and friends tend to go back to their own routine and for some people the support can gradually decrease. This offer of support is extended to any other person who is affected by the death and who may want to discuss their feelings and experience either on an individual basis or in a group setting.

On occasions, some people will want to have some family sessions and that is also something that Great Oaks can provide.

An anniversary card is sent at the time of the first anniversary.

A Carols and Candles service is held on the third Wednesday in December every year, which includes music, readings and a time of reflection. The details are advertised on our web site and in our newsletter.

A book of Remembrance is available for families to have their loved one’s name to be added to the book.

Depending on the need, a bereavement support group is run yearly which provides an opportunity to meet with other bereaved people to share experiences and ideas. The group is held either during the day or early evening and the sessions are fortnightly lasting for an hour and 30 minutes. There are usually seven sessions.

Sometimes there is a need for families to erevisit the hospic and be in surroundings where their loved once attended. This is easily arranged by phone.

We are aware that in any community support services for bereaved people can be stretched and sometimes lacking altogether. We at Great Oaks recognise the need for support and the urgency of that need whether or not there has been a previous connection with Great Oaks and when we are able, we will help.

Key Points

• Great Oaks offers a wide range of bereavement support to any family member or friend of a person who has used the service.
• The support includes written information, telephone support, home visits, individual and group support. There are also formalised times of remembrance and reflection and an opportunity to revisit can be arranged. A book of remembrance is also available.
• We can offer limited support to bereaved people who have had no connection to the hospice in the past.
• The Bereavement Service personnel include a qualified social worker and counsellor with experience in family therapy plus two very experienced volunteers.

National Setting

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that organisations should have a three component model for support of people who have been bereaved. Firstly there will be people who need information and need ‘sign posting’ to services that are available so they can access them if and when needed. Secondly, others will need to seek out some support to discuss their situation and feelings and thirdly others grief maybe be more complex perhaps because of the circumstances of the death or previous experience so they may need other types of help from a more experienced and trained professional.

Here at Great Oaks, we can support people in all three of these categories.

If you are would like Bereavement support please contact us through our Receptionist on 01594-811910 or emailing us at clerical@great-oaks.org.uk

We listen, we support, we care.