Dorothy House launches new film as part of National Grief Awareness Week

To shine a light on the many and varied ways in which Dorothy House supports anyone in the community affected by a life limiting diagnosis, we have released a new film to mark National Grief Awareness Week.

Entitled ‘We’re Here’, the film follows one family as they navigate their way through the end of life pathway of a loved one. It showcases the many ways in which the Hospice offers care and support to our 800 square mile community, across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES) and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.

Watch the film here.

What is National Grief Awareness Week?

National Grief Awareness Week, 2024 will take place from December 2–8, 2024. This annual event aims to create a safe space to discuss grief and loss, and to encourage empathy and support for those who are grieving; whether that is anticipatory grief after a terminal diagnosis, or bereavement after someone has died.

Ways in which Dorothy House offers grief support

Dorothy House’s Family Support Services include social workers, counsellors, children’s workers, therapists and spiritual support staff to help patients and their families adjust emotionally, spiritually and practically, at any stage of illness. Working with individuals or groups, their Family Support  Services provide a variety of approaches to care for the community, including bereavement groups, children and young people’s services and spiritual care.

Working collaboratively with the community

In order to serve more people, Dorothy House works collaboratively with community partner, Carer Support Wiltshire, to offer a series of local Bereavement Help Points (BHPs). These community based drop-in groups for adults, welcome anyone who has suffered a bereavement. They are spaces to meet and talk with others who may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.

Together, the organisations run BHPs in Devizes, Chippenham and Corsham and Dorothy House runs BHPs in Shepton Mallet and Malmesbury.

Bereavement training for schools and volunteers

In addition to running the BHPs directly, Dorothy House is also working with regional schools and community groups to help train their staff and volunteers and enhance their offering. One example of the successful volunteer training is Bereavement Support Keynsham; a group offering support to those in the Keynsham, Saltford, Chew Valley area and Open Door, Warminster who offer a social group and a cancer support group and will soon be opening a bereavement support group. This training ensures the community is better equipped to support more people across the region with the quality bereavement support that everyone deserves.

An ambitious mission

Dorothy House’s mission is to ensure that everyone in the community has access to outstanding palliative and end of life care, and by working in partnership with key organisations they aim to pass on their experience and expertise, making sure that no-one faces death alone.

Anyone seeking training or wishing to collaborate with Dorothy House to offer bereavement support can get in touch here.