Viewing Volume 5 Issue 3 Autumn 2002
Conference Report 2002
Today’s children are faced with life issues that were unspeakable to us growing up as children. Death related tragedies such as suicide, murder, AIDS and non-death related traumas such as divorce; separation; abandonment; bullying; abuse or violence, have left some children sitting alone in their homes, unfocused in the class room or terrorised in the communities. They are overwhelmed by their feelings and distracted by their thoughts. Survivorship of these traumas creates for any child a loss of their assumptive world of safety, protection and predictability.
We are raising a segment of youth that are numbed, disconnected from their hearts, their minds, their consciousness and choosing all too easily, other alternatives such as drugs, alcohol, crime and violence as ways of coping with the loss of their assumptive world.
The days conference provided caring adults with ideas, information, tools and resources to create an environment for communicating loss and grief issues with children and young people.
Our keynote speaker, Jenni Thomas OBE, introduced us to the fact that bereaved children arouse strong feelings in all of us. The ways in which we help children to deal with loss will have a profound impact both on their future development and their ability to cope with all sorts of crises. Jenni spoke of children’s amazing capacity to deal with the truth, offered with love, they can grow and respond creatively to the challenge of bereavement. Jenni’s lecture linked well into Prof. Ann Faulkner’s session ‘Communicating with bereaved children’, which highlighted the need for truth, honesty and trust, and how the parents may involve their children in understanding the reality of loss.
The concurrent sessions followed a five course wonderful repast, with a buzz of networking and conversations and lots of delegates purchasing from the book stall.
John Holland introduced ‘Lost for Words’, a loss awareness training package, with a focus on bereavement and how to work with teachers in schools.
Although Peta Hemmings only gave 48 hours notice of ill health, Brenda Mallon competently covered the topic of children’s art of survival and how they develop selective hearing, observational skills and sensitive detectors of change. Many thanks for stepping into the breach Brenda.
Shirley Potts addressed sibling grief from her work based at Derian House Children’s Hospice over the last few years. Our best wishes for her job and venture as a lecturer.
Daine Finch addressed sudden death in A&E from a dual perspective, that of the parent following a child’s death. And a child’s perspective when a parent / sibling dies suddenly in A&E. Her statistics for April 2001 from the workplace were a great insight into her role as a bereavement nurse.
Val Wellings covered in her session the content of child bereavement support programmes especially from the viewpoint of her organisation – Noah’s Ark in Worcester.
Our next speaker, Peter Jenkins, explained fully, children’s rights and confidentiality in relation to therapeutic interventions with children. His approach to children’s rights encompassed paternalism / welfare / participation in decisions/independence /autonomy.
It’s still amazing how many people considered that the legal, ethical principles of care did not apply to them in their workplace. As Peter inferred, we need to change thinking in order to ameliorate litigation in the future.
Our final speaker of the day was Jim Kuykendall who addressed the fact that as care givers we are part of a larger systemic constellation and as such we need to recognise and be willing to allow ourselves the support that each one of us uniquely requires. His philosophical approach always lifts me spiritually and recharges my batteries, thank you Jim.
By:Angela
Conference Evaluation Statistics for 5th September 2002.
1. Where did you find the conference advertised?
Flyer 44%, MABF 18%, Work 27%, e-mail 3% Conf 2001 7%, BACP 1%
2. How satisfactory was the information you receive before the Conf?
Excellent 9%, Very Good 41%, Good 29%, Average 2%
3. How pleased were you with the overall management of the day?
Excellent 40%, Very Good 34%, Good 26%, Average 0%
4. How satisfactory were the speakers?
Excellent 38%, Very Good 40%, Good 18%, Average 4%
5. Do you agree with the format of the day?
Yes 93% No 7%
6. What did you like most about the day?
Everything 56%, Speakers 42%, Format 1%, Organisation 1%
7. What did you least like about the day?
Nothing 64%, Speakers 10%, Long Day 7%, Want Participation 7%, Workshops 12%
8. How did you find the venue, facilities and catering in general?
Excellent 48%, Very Good 42%, Good 8%, Average 2%
9. Is there a topic you would like addressed in the future?
Family Support - Suicide – Child Traumas – Group Work – Stillbirth & Miscarriages.
By:SFB
Volunteers Required
The Grief Centre – Manchester Area Bereavement Forum is looking to strengthen its management team by recruiting suitably experienced voluntary committee members.
The Grief Centre – Manchester Area Bereavement Forum is looking to strengthen its management team by recruiting suitably experienced voluntary committee members.
The role within the organisation suits both the young career professionals looking to broaden their experience and the more mature executive looking to give something back to the community. Computer literate people with experience in marketing and event management would be especially helpful to us. It would be expected the non-executive members would give a minimum of ½ to one day per week.
For further information, contact: ‘The Grief Centre’ 0161-371-8860
Or e-mail us on: grief@mabf.org.uk
Web Site: www.mabf.org.uk
By:Admin
OBITUARY
Geoffrey Luxton
Sadly Rachel Walker’s partner died suddenly after only a few weeks in hospital on Thursday 19th September 2002. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Rachel and her family at this sad time. The Grief Centre will be represented at the service on Friday 27th September.
Geoffrey was our accountant and financial advisor, always ready to have us pick his brains.
Rachel & Geoff fulfilled a long term ambition to go to the opera in Verona in July and had a memorable holiday.
By:SFB
NEW BOOK
‘Death and Bereavement Around The World’
Edited by John D. Morgan and Pittu Laungani
Volume 1:
“Major Religious Traditions”
ISBN: 0-89503-272-4 (Cloth) $44.95
ISBN: 0-89503-272-2 (Paper)$33.95
Issued by:
Baywood Publishing Company, INC
http://baywood.com
26 Austin Avenue, P.O. Box 337,
Amityville, NY11701
E-mail: baywood@baywood.com
By:
DIARY DATES 2003
General Committee Meetings.
Tues 28th Jan.
Thurs 20th Mar.
All members are welcome to attend
6.30pm for 7.00pm at the Droylsden Office.
By:Admin