THE IMPACT OF GRIEF ON SOCIETY IS ESCALATING, AND IT AFFECTS US ALL
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Bereavement seriously affects around 2 million UK workers every year. A grieving person takes, on average, 22 days off work in the six months following bereavement, and when they do return, productivity is estimated to be 70% of their usual capacity. About 95,000 who suffer intense grief will leave their jobs after the initial six months, and not return to the workplace for the rest of that year. It has been estimated that grief costs the UK economy £23 billion a year, as well as a further £8 billion in reduced revenues, healthcare costs and income support.
Census Wide/ Sue Ryder (September 2020)
BEHAVIOURAL IMPACT
Grief is often misunderstood and underestimated, and certain behaviours may not be immediately recognized as stemming from grief. Anger is a common grief response, and if someone does not have the tools or support to talk about their grief, it is more likely that they will act out in damaging, dangerous ways. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, self-harming, violence, and suicidality can all be manifestations of grief. This creates a downward spiral, where the grieving person becomes even more alienated from their community due to their behaviour, at a time when they need support the most.
HEALTH IMPACT
Grief takes a huge toll on both physical and mental health. Bereavement is one of the most stressful life events we face; it has far-reaching effects that can continue for a long time. The pain of grief never goes away entirely, and some find that the emotional pain intensifies after the first few months, as society expects them to ‘move on’. The grief can become so intense that it results in clinical depression and suicidal ideation. Many GP visits and sick notes are grief-related, despite grief not being a medical condition.
When a company’s culture is grief-informed it results in:
-Reduced employee turnover, absenteeism and presenteeism
-Quality connections with employees and customers
-Excellent social standing and reputation
We teach people the skills they need to meet the challenges of grief. Our training gives workforces the understanding, confidence and skills to take the lead in supporting colleagues and clients. When there is a climate that encourages communication, colleagues that are equipped to offer support, and managers that base decisions on evidence-based policies, every level of the organisation and community is stronger.
We’ve created a unique blend of trainer-led and guided self-learning sessions, that build an understanding of grief, from core grief knowledge to specialised topics for different fields. Through practice-based training sessions and peer-to-peer support, we give people the confidence to talk about grief and build a grief-friendly culture. And we continue to support learning even after the training sessions have ended, via secure forums where you can connect with trainers and peers.
We tailor our training courses to fit each client’s needs, in a way that is affordable and scalable, and we work across a wide range of sectors, including:
Charities
Blue Light Services
Local Government
Financial Organisations
Undertakers & bereavement service
Healthcare providers
Consultants/specialist teams
Prison/probation staff
Social care providers
Our Training Approach
Courage
We educate people about grief, and give them the tools and confidence to start having tough conversations. When we give grief a voice, it brings us together instead of dividing us.
Connection
We help you build strong connections by providing your colleagues, staff, customers, and those you care for with the support they need, at the time they need it the most.
Community
We give back, through voluntary work and education. Our aim is to foster meaningful conversations about grief, because this strengthens and unites communities.