17 tcf.org.uk COMPASSION | FEATURE: BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE Currently, I volunteer as a befriender with Twins Trust and serve as a bereavement counsellor at CRUSE, a national charity. Guiding others through their grieving process, my focus lies in supporting parents coping with the loss of their child(ren). Through extensive counselling and cognitive behavioural coaching, I’ve gained a profound understanding of human psychology and the workings of the mind. Additionally, I hold qualifications as a mental health first aider, actively participating in and speaking at various workplace, school, and charity events centred around bereavement and mental health. My aim is to enhance my counselling expertise, aiding workplaces in crafting effective bereavement strategies to bolster employee well-being and retention. Leveraging over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing, I’m channelling my efforts into establishing a bereavement consultancy. By developing management and employee training materials, conducting workshops, and raising awareness, I seek to address the glaring disparity between employees’ needs and the support provided by organizations. Bereavement is an inevitable part of life, and it’s imperative for organizations to recognize the importance of supporting their employees during such times. By fostering an environment of understanding and providing adequate support, workplaces stand to benefit from improved employee engagement, well-being, and mental health outcomes, ultimately resulting in reduced absenteeism and turnover costs. Unfortunately, despite its prevalence, bereavement support in the workplace remains inadequate, largely due to the taboo nature of death. My mission is to bridge this gap, ensuring that employees receive the support they deserve, inspired by the memory of my son James.
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