Contacts
Contact:
Lisa Johnstone
Coordinator
Organisation:
Macmillan Bereavement Service
Shiremooor Resource Centre Earsdon Road North Tyneside NE27 0HJ United Kingdom
Tel:
0191 2979013
Email:
Case study:
15 June 2007
Bereavement Befriending Service in North Tyneside
Key points
- The North Tyneside Bereavement Befriending Service has made more than 1,600 visits to people bereaved through cancer in the last four years
- The service helps to fill gaps in existing support services and is appreciated by both clients and professionals
- It employs two staff but most of the work is carried out by 44 trained volunteers.
The North Tyneside Bereavement Befriending Service has made more than 1,600 visits to people bereaved through cancer in the last four years and is helping them cope better with their loss and grief.
The bereavement service, which was launched in June 2004, fills a gap in existing services by offering a supportive, confidential and therapeutic service for bereaved adults experiencing normal grief.
All visits are carried out by trained volunteers who see clients in their home.
The aim is to complement the work of the specialist palliative care team and to help clients move on in their grieving process and adapt to loss.
The process is audited regularly and the results clearly demonstrate that clients find the support useful. Health professionals are also extremely satisfied, with some saying the service has saved them both time, in terms of fewer appointments, and money, in medication costs.
The service, which is now funded by North Tyneside PCT after initial funding from Macmillan Cancer Support, was set up after a study of spouses bereaved through cancer indicated a gap in support services in the area.
The study also gave health care professionals an understanding of what bereaved individuals need to come to terms with their grief.
The service employs a coordinator and assistant coordinator but trained volunteers carry out the bulk of the work. So far 44 volunteers have been recruited and trained.
They are supported through regular monthly meetings, supervision sessions, buddy systems and an open door policy.
The team also provided regular teaching sessions for other health care professionals about the service.
As professionals’ trust in the service has grown, referrals have increased.
To date there have been 244 new referrals and a total of 1,670 visits.
The service’s effectiveness and efficiency is constantly monitored.
Data is collected monthly to ascertain referral routes, service demand, outcome and status, volunteer activity and geographical spread.
Information is also collected through annual audits and satisfaction surveys from service users, health care professionals and volunteers.
A bereavement protocol has also been produced, based on the findings of the initial bereavement study, which has led to changes in nursing practice.
It is hoped the service may in future be expanded to include a children’s loss, grief and bereavement service.
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