Thanks to the generous support of NHS Bristol, Bristol City Council, and Wesley College, a one day conference, free for bereavement service providers, was organized by Bristol Bereavement Forum (BBF) in conjunction with Samaritans, Bristol, Cruse Bereavement Care and representation from NHS.
The aims of the conference were:
(a) to identify gaps in the services provided
(b) to determine the quality of support available
(c) to ascertain how co-ordination between services (voluntary and statutory) could be strengthened
(d) to decide what are the priorities for action.
Around 70 people from different areas of bereavement service provision attended.
We were fortunate to have Jonathan Hartley, formerly Director of the Bereavement Care Standards: UK Project to give the key-note address.
He outlined many important points for service providers to consider and challenged the audience to think carefully about the services they offered (handout).
This was followed by presentations from five bereaved people, concentrating on what support had been available to them. Each was different and moving, demonstrating clearly, that bereavement is individual and needs vary.
Delegates were then divided into six groups to discuss topics that had been raised prior to the conference.
Many points were raised from each group. A report will be made of the findings in due course and a summary displayed on this website (www.bbforum.org.uk).
The conference was also an opportunity for people to network and to find out what others are doing to help the bereaved.
