At A Loss: Supporting those in need due to bereavement and loss
Rachel Heycock, MDT QI Manager, Wendy Evans, Chaplain, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Introduction
In 2021 Welsh Government released a national framework for the delivery of bereavement care to ‘ensure that good quality services are available for those who need them.’ Some people experiencing bereavement have not been able to get the right support at the right time, with no support service provided for loss and bereavement within Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board (CTMHB).
The aim was to introduce at least two bereavement and loss support services to a CTM locality.
Methods
- Conducted a virtual workshop to understand the need and gauge participation for the At a Loss Café.
- Offered a weekly face-to-face workshop at a community center over a 6-week period, with feedback indicating the need for ongoing weekly support.
- Expanded to a second location after showcasing the workshop at the Community Leaders Network event, necessitating training and resources for facilitators, developed by the Chaplain, supported by improvement.
- Established a structured format for workshops with designated content and time for sharing and creative activities, ensuring the main objective was met.
- Improved communication and promotion through community leaders and Health Board social media channels, leading to a third location secured by a trained attendee from the first workshop.
Outcomes
“It is a place where I can really be myself for two hours in the week”.
At a Loss café is currently active in 3 locations with weekly events being held at each.
Attendance varies from 4 to 20 people.
17 facilitators are currently available to host a café and ongoing feedback is gathered to customise the training offer
Learnings
Challenges included the need for specific venues and training resources, which took time to develop without protected project time. Early engagement with communication teams across CTM and communities proved useful and could have been leveraged sooner.
Lessons learned:
- Workshops needed community ownership.
- Training resources were essential for potential facilitators.
- Ground rules were important for a safe, structured environment.
- Senior executive support was key.
What next?
The aim is to spread and scale the project to a wider audience, to highlight its successes and to see how this can be taken forward across the health board.
