NHS trust introduces bereavement link workers to support carers of end-of-life patients
Carers of patients accessing adult end of life care within Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) inpatient services are now supported by a temporary bereavement link worker.
The new initiative has been funded by Forward Carers Community Interest Company (CIC), in partnership with Birmingham Carers Hub.
The project came after a need for more pre- and post-bereavement support for unpaid carers was identified. It will run until October 2025.
After a year of development, the initiative found financial support through a grant from Forward Carers, a CIC that aims to support those who care for elderly, frail, sick, or disabled family members.
Weekly coffee mornings for pre-bereavement support for patients and carers facilitated by the bereavement link worker began in May 2024 at West Heath Hospital, offering a space for families and friends of palliative patients to gather, share experiences, and receive support.
A relative of a patient on the ward said: “I find it comforting when the link worker is around and sits with me and we chat about all sorts of topics. I find her presence reassuring.”
For those unable to attend coffee mornings, the bereavement link worker will offer support at their bedside, providing patients and their loved ones with refreshments, and the space to discuss their thoughts and feelings.
A telephone signposting and social prescribing service helped to support people as they navigate the emotional and practical aspects of bereavement and grieving.
Providing this people-centred and tailored advice to carers helps to improve overall wellbeing by encouraging self-care and independence post-bereavement.
As part of these post-bereavement calls, BCHC were able to support a grieving elderly gentleman, whose wife had passed away.
He was able to recognise that he needed further support and guidance, and BCHC were able to identify specific support services to his benefit.
During the first year of the scheme, 355 carers were supported, and thanks to their positive feedback the project was funded for a second year.
Forward Carers have informed the charity that there are number of local organisations and projects that will continue beyond the end of the funding in October and into 2026 to continue to support unpaid carers.
BCHC Charity funds many other initiatives that support people pre- and post- bereavement, including bereavement memory boxes, offering memorial plaques on the Willow House memorial tree and the Moseley Hall Hospital Wall of Tributes, creating keepsakes such as hand casts, and much more.
For more information, contact bchc.charity@nhs.net.
