Viewing Volume 7 Issue 3 Autumn 2004
11th Annual Conference Report—9th Sept 2004
Pastures new had to be sought for this years conference as GMB College is up for sale. The new venue for us was a purpose built conference suite at Sedgley Park Police College, Prestwich. This years title was “Time to Care” and the goal of the conference was to expand knowledge of the grief process; network with others in the field and develop skills for a variety of grief settings. The presentations engaged both the professional as well as those offering bereavement support.
Our keynote speaker, Prof. Phyllis Rolfe Silverman from the Brandeis Women’s Studies Research Centre, Harvard, USA spoke on ‘caring in the context of mutual help’. She explained that as social creatures our relationships frame and focus who we are and who we become. A relational paradigm of grief suggests that grief is an interactive process involving multiple mourners and others in the lives of our mourners. Peoples worldviews need to be considered as well as how mutuality and interdependence are recognised and supported in this view.
Reverend Professor Stephen Wright from the Sacred Space Foundation explained ‘Shadow into Light—spiritual care’, how spiritual issues in health care have had an increasing profile in recent years. He explained there is a growing body of evidence to indicate that the failure to attend to the spiritual needs not just of patients, but of those who care for them as well, is producing serious difficulties for individuals and organisations which seek to support them.
Anne Sarge from the Medical Foundation for Care of Victims of Torture described ‘the multiple losses of asylum seekers and refugees’. How loss and separation are central to the refugee experience. In her presentation through testimonies of survivors she had worked with. The losses include actual deaths and disappearance as well as other losses such as cultural bereavement and losses of status, community, etc. An insight into another world of bereavement and loss counselling.
Following a sumptuous buffet that some delegates partook on the patio in the sunshine, the buzz of networking and in depth conversations, we returned to still a warm lecture hall without its air conditioning working.
Brenda Mallon renowned author and lecturer, gave a session on ‘loss, trauma and children’s dreams’. Trauma impacts on every aspect of a child’s life; the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual. For some children their dreams are replay of a waking event. Time to talk, grieve and deal with hurt is vital. Where there are no visible signs of early loss such as Bereavement, parental separation, abuse or neglect, we may not be aware of the damage that has been done.
Dr. Ann Grinyer, a medical sociologist and lecturer at Lancaster University presented her recent research that focused on the life stage issues relating to cancer when experienced in young adulthood. She has written a book based on this topic of presentation on how the illness challenges newly established independence and how young people may resist dependency which can result in behaviour which parents find hard to deal with.
After the coffee break the delegates broke into groups to discuss a) The impact of trauma on children’s dreams, b) Breaking Bad News, c) Caring for those bereaved by violent crime, d) Supporting families. Then back to the main hall for the closing address. This annual conference, now in its 11th year offered, keynote address, panels, invited speakers and concurrent workshops in a learning environment dedicated to those in the field of bereavement and loss. The annual conference is themed to educate and inform on all issues related to dying, death and bereavement.
The aim of conference was to foster our ability to understand diverse views, promote understanding, education and support of all delegates, this objective was achieved from the evaluation forms received.
A reminder to delegates, that the warm, caring atmosphere and collegiate relationship shared with all the volunteers at The Grief Centre, (who give their time freely to organise this event), should be acknowledged and appreciated however, we can only improve on the things we have control of; the parking and air conditioning were not our responsibility but the colleges to provide.
By:Chairperson
Conference Evaluations—Thursday 9th September 2004.
Where did you find the conference advertised?
50% Flyer, 28% MABF, 6% Universe, 8% NHS, 4% CRUSE Magazine, 2% BACP, 2% other.
How satisfactory was the information you received before conference?
14% Excellent, 38% Very Good, 36% Good, 10% Adequate, 2% Poor.
How pleased were you with the management of the day?
38% Excellent, 55% Very Good, 6% Good, 1% Average.
How satisfactory were the speakers?
68% Excellent, 30% Very Good, 2% Good.
Do you agree with the format of the day?
99% Yes, 1%
What did you like most about the day?
What did you like least about the day?
66% Heat 17% Nothing, 15% Too long 1% Parking, 1% Harangued.
How did you find the venue, facilities and catering in general?
12% Excellent, 56% Very Good, 22% Good, 10% Average.
Is there any particular topic for the future?
Suicide, Prisoner, Self Care, Spiritual Care, Neonatal Deaths.
By:MABF stats
TRAINING COURSES
These courses will be held at the office in Droylsden 9am to 5pm on the dates shown below.
‘Introduction to Bereavement Counselling Skills’
Wednesdays: 2nd, 9th & 16th February 2005
Level 1 validated by ABC
‘Helping Young People Cope with Loss & Change’
Thursdays: 3rd, 10th & 17th March 2005
Level 1 validated by ABC and includes Law & Ethics
These courses are packaged to comply with
UK Bereavement Standards
If you are interested in any of these courses, please contact
The Grief Centre - MABF
By:Training Dept.
DIARY DATES 2004
Forum Meetings.
Thursday 2nd December 2004
CBN @ 1pm
MABF @ 6-30 for 7pm
Tuesday 22nd February 2005
CBN @ 1pm
MABF @ 6-30 for 7pm
By:AT
12th International Bereavement & Loss Conference
Thursday 8th September 2005
at the
Sedgley Park Business Centre,
Prestwich,
Manchester.
“Family Grief”
Caring for bereaved people involves a wide range of interventions, ranging from empathic and compassionate communication. This conference will address a range of seminal / contemporary theories.
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Members: £150-00
Non-Members: £195-00
All delegates after August 11th 2005 £ 225-00
Please contact the office for further information.
By:
Service of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims
Sunday 21st November 2004
2-30pm
at By: Sunday 21st November 2004 at By:
The Unitary Chapel
Cross Street (opposite St. Ann Street)
Manchester
For further details contact:
Sandra Dutson on 0161-707-3546
Service of Remembrance & Hope for Road Crash Victims
3-00pm
St. Peter's Church
Belmont
Bolton
For further details contact:
Rev'd. D. Jones or Mrs Ann Jones
on 01204-811221