Counselling, Bereavement and Pre-Bereavement Support

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust aims to to provide the ‘extras’ beyond core NHS funding that bring comfort and joy to patients, enhance their experience, and improve their care. This includes activities, equipment, or initiatives that make a meaningful difference.

New Project: Bereavement and End of Life Support for Carers

Carers of patients at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust who are in the pre- and post-bereavement stages will be supported by the End of Life Link worker. Comprehensive, holistic support for Carers includes emotional and practical aspects of bereavement and grieving, with a focus on promoting self-care and overall well-being.

The Link Worker operates from Willow House, a palliative care unit at West Heath Hospital. The programme includes a variety of group sessions, some practical and others focusing on well-being, such as facilitated arts activities and exercise classes. The programme culminates in an end-of-year event for participants and the broader community.

For those who do not opt to join the full program, a ‘light touch’ approach is offered comprising a telephone call 6-8 weeks after bereavement, signposting and social prescribing services, and an invitation to an end-of-year Carers event.

Contact details
www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk
Or ask for details at the hospital.

Cruse Bereavement Support is the UK’s leading bereavement charity and has been helping bereaved people for over 60 years. Cruse makes sure that everyone grieving gets the support they need, when they need it.

New Project: Specialist Bereavement Support for Birmingham Carers

Cruse understands how a bereavement can impact Carers and how the grief journey can feel very different to other bereavement
experiences. This new service offers in-person Carer-specific support sessions with access to further on-going bereavement support when it’s needed.

These sessions provide:

• A safe space to disclose uncomfortable thoughts/feelings about your bereavement.
• A space outside of the home to ensure confidentiality.
• Emotional support for anyone distressed.
• The opportunity to meet other Carers.

Cruse also has a range of factsheets and booklets that you might find useful during this difficult time, these can be accessed via the Cruse website.

Contact details:
www.cruse.org.uk
0121 687 8010 (leave a voicemail and a team member will return your call to establish the best type of support for you)
support@crusebirmingham.co.uk

Headway Birmingham & Solihull supports people with an acquired brain injury. Brain injury can affect anyone, at any time and Headway Birmingham & Solihull supports people through these life-changing events, treating them as individuals and building a bespoke service to meet their needs and aspirations.

New Carer Project: Bereavement and Couple Counselling

This service offers free couples/ relationship counselling for Carers and a person affected by an acquired brain injury; and bereavement counselling to Carers following a loss.

Acquiring a brain injury in the family can strain relationships, especially for partners coming to terms with this new caregiving responsibility and the numerous changes in finances and everyday life. Counselling services involve fully qualified therapists with years of brain injury experience, particularly in couples counselling. This approach aims to improve relationships and support couples in determining the best way forward.

The service can also support those experiencing bereavement, giving the opportunity to help process their grief and face the future.

Six private counselling sessions are available, either in-person at one of the Hubs in Sutton, Moseley, or Rednal, or through group sessions, which also provide valuable peer support.

Contact details:
https://www.headway-bs.org.uk/
0121 457 7541
enquiries@headway-bs.org.uk

Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC actively promotes dance within the community to encourage healthy living, healthy aging, and opportunities to meet like-minded people while fostering support networks. They also host tea dances, delivers workshops in care and hospital settings, and specialise in dementia-friendly workshops.

New Project: Keep Dancing Cares

Carers who have been bereaved or are facing bereavement are invited to join twice weekly dance sessions (one per week online and one in person). Following the dance class, there will be a space for attendees to engage in conversations and share challenges they may be facing as Carers or individuals who have recently lost a loved one.

These sessions are suitable for beginners/ any levels are accessible to all abilities. Please contact Xpress-Yourself Dance in advance to discuss any support that may help you access the classes.

Participating in these fun sessions will help Carers to connect with others and build supportive networks.

Contact details:
https://www.facebook.com/Xpre55Your5elf
hello@xpress-yourself.co.uk