Community support through bereavement and loss

People and communities have experienced multiple losses during the pandemic.  For people who have been bereaved, COVID restrictions have had an impact on almost every aspect of their experience.

The support of friends, family and the wider community can help people who are grieving, but we don’t always feel confident that we are doing and saying the right thing.

Useful resources

There are some resources available which can help:

• The Supporting Bereavement leaflet on the Dying Matters website provides some tips about how to have a conversation with someone who has been bereaved, along with some do’s and don’ts.
• The West Sussex Libraries Bereavement Support resource on the West Sussex County Council website brings together links to local and national bereavement services, COVID-19-specific support, library booklists for adults, teens and children, podcasts, wellbeing resources, and digital support.
• The Bereavement Support during Covid-19 guide on the Sussex Health and Care Partnership website.
• The Bereavement Guide on the West Sussex County Council website is a useful source of practical information, including sources of help and support.
• The Invisible Suitcase, a short animation on the Child Bereavement UK website can help bereaved children, young people and adults to understand grief and how to manage it.
• A short video on the Zero Suicide Alliance website can help to give you the skills and confidence to support someone you know who may be feeling isolated or lonely

Bereavement support

If you, or someone you know, need someone to talk to, the following organisations can help:

• Cruse West Sussex – helpline 0808 808 1677
• Winston’s Wish – offer support to those supporting bereaved children – helpline 08088 020 021
• Child Bereavement UK – provide support to bereaved children and families and those supporting them – helpline 0800 02 888 40
• Sudden – offer support when someone has died suddenly – helpline 0800 2600 400
• BAMESTREAM - bereavement support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) adults who have been affected by the death of a loved one due to Covid-19
• Hospice UK’s ‘Just B’ – counselling and trauma helpline 0300 303 4434 – for all NHS, care sector staff and emergency workers
• Samaritans – helpline 116 123