PARENTS, spouses and loved ones spoke out about their experience of loss and bereavement to mark National Grief Awareness Day.
The five short films see adults talk about their experience of losing a loved one and the films cover bereavements by road traffic collision, suicide, baby loss and spousal loss.
The films were released by charity Edward’s Trust on August 30, which was set up in memory of Knowle Infant School pupil Edward Dent who died of a rare cancer when he was seven in 1988.
Amanda Smart, who appears in one of the videos, said: “I wanted to tell ours and Oliver’s story to help people understand the complex grief that follows a death from suicide and why skilled, professional bereavement counselling is so essential for the lives of those who are bereaved in this way.”
Another parent bereaved by the sudden death of his wife and supporting his child through loss said: “I want to share my story because I want to offer hope to people who have also been bereaved.
“In particular bereaved men who can find it hard to talk about their feelings.”
These films come after Birmingham received Compassionate City Status earlier this year.
The charity, which was set up by Edward’s parents Peter and Hilary Dent in 1989, has evolved from an organisation providing home from home accommodation in Birmingham, for families who had a seriously ill child in hospital, to a holistic bereavement support service for bereaved parents, children and carers across the West Midlands.
Edward’s Trust also provides counselling, telephone support, specialist support groups and social activities as part of its holistic bereavement support service.
Clare Martin, acting chair of trustees said: “We are tremendously proud of these films and greatly admire all those who have courageously shared their stories.
“Conversations about death and bereavement are far too frequently avoided because people feel uncomfortable and don’t know what to say.
“Talking to someone who is bereaved about their loss often helps them to feel heard and cared for.
“We hope that these films will enable others to have a better understanding of grief and bereavement and so be better equipped to empathise and care; and also for those who have been bereaved to feel that they are not alone in how they are feeling.”
To watch these films at on the Edward’s Trust YouTube channel.
