Bereaved Parent Support - Newsletter |
Dear Friend
The loss of their child at any age is the worst thing that a parent can face. But for those whose child has died in a way that could be termed ‘socially unacceptable’, perhaps through drugs or by taking their own life, the effect of that loss can be compounded by the adverse reactions of those around them. We are grateful to Roger and Pat, Graeme and Philippa for giving us a helpful insight into the situations and events that they, and others they have met, have experienced. We hope that this will bring comfort to those in similar situations, to know that they are not alone and also give insight to family and friends who are seeking to help them. If we can ever help you in any way then please do get in touch. With our love, |
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Please call Care for the Family on (029) 2081 0800 if you'd like us to put you in touch with one of our trained Bereaved Parent Support Befrienders. All our Befrienders have themselves experienced the death of a child.
|  A Deliberate Death .... Roger and Pat’s son Bryan took his own life in February 2002. We spoke to them about what it’s like to lose a child through suicide and how they have gone on to support many other parents in a similar situation. “All three boys were adults and had left home. We found out that Bryan had problems a couple of weeks before he died, but he didn’t confide in us. His intentions were well-planned and deliberate – he had even put his obituary on the Internet.”
Read more..... |
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 A Socially Unacceptable Death
Graeme and Philippa’s son Jim died in November 2007 after a drugs overdose in Hong Kong. Philippa describes some of the struggles she experiencedSadly there are some deaths, such as taking one’s own life or overdosing on illegal drugs, which cause the bereaved to feel even more alone in their pain. These are the deaths that others find harder to understand. The bereaved parents and family fear that their child or sibling will be judged unfavourably by others, which is almost unendurably painful.
Read more... |
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 Coroners and Inquests
After a violent, unnatural, sudden or unexplained death there may be a post-mortem and an inquest, led by a Coroner, to establish the facts. As this may not take place until some considerable time after the death, the intervening period can be a very stressful time for the bereaved parents.Read more... |
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Other Sources of Support Listed below are two specialist organisations providing support to bereaved parents who have experienced suicide or drug-related death.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Providing help and support to those bereaved by the suicide of a relative or close friend. They provide information, a helpline and other activities, including local groups and events throughout the UK.
Website: www.uk-sobs.org.uk
Helpline: 0844 561 6855
Drug Fam
DrugFAM supports families affected by a loved one’s use of drugs or alcohol, working with individual family members and carers rather than the user. They offer telephone support, befriending, counselling ,local support groups in Buckinghamshire and bereavement support.
Website: www.drugfam.co.uk
Helpline: 0845 388 3853 9am - 9pm Click here for a more extensive list of Bereavement Support Organisations, available on our website.
This information is supplied in good faith, but Care for the Family cannot accept responsibility for any advice or recommendations made by other organisations or resources. | |
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2012 Events for Bereaved Parents
Please note that these have changed since those provisionally shown in our last newsletter.
The events that the Bereaved Parent Support Team run give a wonderful opportunity for meeting other bereaved parents and sharing together the things that we have learnt along our journey. There is no limit as to when or how often you attend – we are there for you at any stage along your grief journey. We support all parents whose child has died at any age and in any circumstance. A Day for Bereaved Parents
Saturday 24 November - Bristol A Weekend for Bereaved Parents
Friday-Sunday 12-14 October – Staverton Park Hotel , Daventry | |
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 Golfers – you can make a difference!
Here’s a fantastic opportunity for experienced golfers to have a great day of golf and raise money for Care for the Family too!Bernard Firkins is one of our Bereaved Parent Support Befrienders, a professional golfer and long-term Care for the Family supporter. Do come and join him as he and fellow-supporter Matt Partridge host a unique four-person team competition on Monday 23rd April 2012 at Frilford Heath, one of Oxfordshire's finest golf clubs, to raise money for a great cause. With an amazing entry fee of just £60 per person, the day starts with coffee and bacon rolls. There is also a two-course carvery lunch as well as a putting competition and several spot prizes. For more information email Mark Whitehead at Care for the Family Mark.whitehead@cff.org.uk or call him on 029 2081 1733 | |
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Other support for you from the Bereaved Parent Support Team
• Telephone network - parents are put in touch with trained befrienders who have themselves experienced the death of a child.
• Events - giving parents who have lost a child the opportunity to meet others who have walked that road, to learn from shared experiences, and hopefully move towards a 'new normal'.
• Email newsletter - containing personal stories, articles and helpful advice to support bereaved parents, their relatives and friends. If you, or someone you know, would like to receive this email newsletter regularly, and aren't already doing so, simply go to our website
• Resources - read more articles and stories here. | |
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Care for the Family - a Christian response to a world of need. A registered Charity (England and Wales: 1066905: Scotland SCO38497) | |
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