St Catherine's Hospice helps employers with bereavement

St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall has launched a new bereavement training package to help managers support employees who are struggling or returning to work following the loss of a loved one.

The hospice’s Knowledge Exchange team hopes to equip professionals with the skills and confidence to support colleagues as well as their own relatives, friends and neighbours at the end of life and during bereavement.

Debbie Bolton, head of clinical education at the Lostock Hall hospice, explained: “Inevitably death and bereavement are part of life, touching everyone at some point and of course not only in connection with a hospice. That’s why we have introduced some new courses for HR teams and management, which aim to empower senior colleagues to offer the right support to their teams if they are faced with bereavement.

“It’s part of our commitment to developing ‘compassionate communities’ and promoting wellbeing across Central Lancashire. We understand that supporting a grieving person or someone affected by a life-shortening illness can seem a daunting and challenging task and, even with the best intentions, managers can struggle to know what to say or how to approach these sensitive situations.”

Debbie added the pandemic was having an impact.

She said: “The Compassionate Communities approach has been high on our agenda for some time now and has become even more prevalent during the last 12 months. People have been faced with new worries and uncertain futures, and have become more aware of the importance of being better prepared for the end of life and reaching out to people who are struggling or suffering.”

To find out more about the St Catherine’s Hospice study sessions and training opportunities for companies and professionals, please email [email protected] or call 01772 629171.

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