National Grief Awareness Week 2024

Barnsley Hospice is supporting National Grief Awareness Week (Dec 2-8), as part of The Good Grief Trust’s mission to promote better understanding of grief.

This year’s theme for National Grief Awareness Week is ‘Shine a Light’ as people, places and projects spotlight bereavement services across the country.

Barnsley Hospice is proud to provide a counselling and bereavement service, offering specialist support from our team of trained professionals, Janice and Karen. As well as providing counselling services to people with a life-limiting progressive illness and those close to them, our bereavement services provide a safe and confidential environment to talk through grief following the death of a loved one.

What is grief?

Grief is a term used to describe the emotional and physical reaction to the death of a loved one or someone close to you. It is also not unusual to experience physical pain. Whilst it is important to remember that grief is a natural process, how we feel is unique to every individual.

Our Lead Counsellor Janice Blackburn said, “As we discuss grief and its impact for Grief Awareness Week, we must recognise that dealing with and managing grief isn’t an exact science and can be experienced differently by every individual. With that in mind, it’s important to acknowledge how hard it is for someone going through bereavement and to reassure them that however they feel, it’s okay.

“If you are experiencing grief, be patient and kind to yourself. Try and allow yourself to be however you need to be. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to grieve and there’s no time limit as to when you may begin grieving. In some instances it can take years to start the grieving process, but it’s important you do what’s best for you.”

Counsellor Karen Watson added, “It is impossible to know how long feelings surrounding grief will last. However, talking about the person and allowing yourself to be upset can help. It can be helpful to share your memories of the person with others and consider how you maintain that connection with them.                                                                                                                                                                                 
“All our bereavement and counselling services, like every service here at the hospice, are provided free of charge. It is only because of the generosity of the Barnsley public and businesses that we can provide these vital services to people in need of them as fundraising makes up the majority of our income.”

Barnsley Hospice’s bereavement support service is available for family and friends of people who died from a life-limiting illness and had specialist palliative care needs. This service is available to children aged 5-18 and adults aged 18 and above, and is also extended to the wider Barnsley community for those who might not necessarily have been cared for by the hospice.

Helpful advice

It’s important to be there for them and less important to know exactly what to say. They don’t need you to say anything, as long as you’re there. However, avoid saying things like ‘Time’s a great healer’ or ‘be strong/be brave’

Ask them if they need anything from you. Some may want to talk about what has happened, but for others it might be too soon. Simply take their lead and don’t feel you have to make things better.

You can find out more about our bereavement and counselling services here.