The Bereavement Care team is celebrating its 20th anniversary after it was developed by one of its colleagues at The Co-operative Funeralcare services.
Over the two decades, the team has touched the lives of more than 59,200 people.
Back in the year 2000, Ingrid McAllister-Derry had spent 24 years at Southern Co-op and The Co-operative Funeralcare and knew there was a need to offer an aftercare service and emotional support for colleagues.
The Bereavement Centre, now known as Bereavement Care, was launched on May 15 2000.
Ingrid, who is now The Bereavement Manager Care Liaison Officer, said: “We grew the service over the years to offer one-to-one bereavement support for anyone in the community – not just for people who had used our funeral services at The Co-operative Funeralcare.”
The Bereavement Centre now provides free support for people suffering with grief and loss face-to-face or via online services such as Skype across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and select areas of Berkshire, Dorset, Surrey and Wiltshire.
This has also helped to take some pressure off other local mental health services that have long waiting times.
The team also works with key workers including carers, doctors, nurses and teachers through training sessions to coach them on the practicalities of dealing with a death and loss of any kind. This includes helping medical professionals understand how to help grieving families and give the best bedside manner and support to those suffering.
Steve Pearce said: “During the current pandemic, the help they have given families and to colleagues has been second-to-none. What was once just an idea, has grown into something that hundreds of people rely on. Thank you Ingrid for everything you and your team have achieved.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, the team has been supporting nursing homes and care in the community as well as giving people virtual help during lockdown with telephone support to the bereaved and care professionals.
Ingrid said: “Part of Southern Co-op’s values is about giving back to the communities in which we serve. How better can this be demonstrated than by providing a free bereavement service for 20 years? We believe passionately about giving something back and have quietly done this for all these years. It’s been a real privilege.”