In September 2023 Birmingham Hospice and Crisis Skylight Birmingham partnered to pilot a new training programme “Understanding loss and grief in the homeless sector”.  

The three-hour bereavement awareness training programme was co-designed with agencies who support those experiencing homelessness and is currently being run FREE of charge across Birmingham and Solihull. 

Feedback from the pilot session was extremely encouraging, with attendees all rating an increased level of self-confidence in approaching someone who is dealing with a bereavement.  

The course content covers a range of topics; from 

• theories of grief, 
• symptoms, 
• impacts of grief and how this can affect those experiencing homelessness
• conversational tips
• self-care 
• signposting. 

Organisations can either have the training delivered within their own organisational bases, or they can attend the next sessions being offered with Crisis Skylight Birmingham.

The upcoming dates are 

• 24 October 2023 1-4pm at YMCA, Magdalene Court, Northfield ,B31 2DL
• 8 November 2023 12-3.30pm at Trident House, B15 1UE

Places are limited so be sure to sign up fast.  

The training offer will continue until February 2024, so get in-touch with Suzanne.mcarthur2@nhs.net to book a session.