After a person has died, it is important that carers are supported to grieve.

GREATER MANCHESTER BEREAVEMENT SERVICE  can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief.

On this site, you can find out about support in your area and nationally, as well as advice for practical issues that losing a loved one may bring.

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE BEREAVED

If you know someone who is grieving the death of someone close you may wonder how best to support them. Read on for some suggestions from Cruse Bereavement Care of what to say and do.
People who have been bereaved may want to talk about the person who has died. One of the most helpful things you can do is simply listen and give them time and space to grieve. Offering specific practical help, not vague general offers, can also be very helpful.
Do:

• Be there for the person who is grieving – pick up the phone, write a letter or an email, call by or arrange to visit.
• Accept that everyone grieves in their own way, there is no ‘normal’ way.
• Encourage the person to talk.
• Listen to the person.
• Create an environment in which the bereaved person can be themselves and show their feelings, rather than having to put on a front.
• Be aware that grief can take a long time.
• Contact the person at difficult times such as special anniversaries and birthdays.
• Mention useful support agencies such as Cruse Bereavement Care.
• Offer useful practical help.

Don’t:

• Avoid someone who has been bereaved.
• Use clichés such as ‘I understand how you feel’, ‘You’ll get over it’ or ‘Time heals’.
• Tell them it’s time to move on, they should be over it – how long a person needs to grieve is entirely individual.
• Be alarmed if the bereaved person doesn’t want to talk or demonstrates anger.
• Underestimate how emotionally draining it can be when supporting a grieving person. Make sure you take care of yourself too.

The service also has dedicated suicide bereavement practitioners to ensure that those bereaved or affected by suicide can speak to someone who will have a greater understanding of what they may be going through and help them access appropriate support.
You can find information about local bereavement services on the Support in your area page.
The service also provides support for professionals or those seeking advice for others.
If you would like to speak to someone in person, you can call Greater Manchester Bereavement Service:

OUR NORMAL OPENING HOURS

Call us on 0161 983 0902 for help in finding the right support for you.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays)
Email: gmicb-sal.gm.bs@nhs.net
Or, you can email salccg.gm.bs@nhs.net
 

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We believe all carers have a right to be respected, valued and supported, equally in their caring role, as experts for their cared for and as individuals in their own right.
Weblinks:
Carers charter: https://www.gmhsc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Carers-Charter-FINAL.pdf
Greater Manchester working carer toolkit: https://sccdemocracy.salford.gov.uk/documents/s16450/Item%209%20-%20Appendix%20B%20-%20GM%20Working%20Carers%20Toolkit%201%20-%204%204%2019.pdf

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A syllabus was agreed with input from health and care professionals and carers, using evidence based good practice literature. The syllabus is to ensure consistency across Greater Manchester but individual educators will deliver in a way suitable for their locality's way of working. This is supported by the Rules of Thumb guide and a leaflet to start the conversations about end of life 'Let's talk about death'.
Weblinks:
Rules of Thumb Guide: https://dementia-united.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/01/03-UCL-Rules-of-Thumb-Guide-v14.0_PRINT-version.pdf
Greater Manchester syllabus for training on end of life care of those with dementia: https://dementia-united.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/01/2021-01-25-GM-Syllabus-v1.0.pdf

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Palliative care is care given to people with chronic, often life-limiting illness. Our focus is on improving quality of life. We have a city wide service that provides seamless care. The service is delivered by MLCO staff in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Who is the service for?

Our service is usually for people whose illness means they are thought to be in the last year of life. However, we also provide care for people with longer life-limiting illness. We also provide support to families and carers. This is a really important part of supporting patients.

What does the service provide?

The service works from three hubs across Manchester so our teams work in their local neighbourhoods. The hubs are located in North, Central and South Manchester.

The teams provide support for adults facing life-limiting illness who are registered with a Manchester GP. The most common example is cancer, but our teams support patients with other conditions. We visit patients in their own home or care home. We also provide telephone support and advice when required.

The teams recognise that emotional, family, financial and spiritual concerns may be just as important to you as physical problems. We can:

• Provide treatment and advice to help manage any symptoms
• Offer practical advice and support to do the things that are important to you
• Support families and carers
• Signpost to other services including financial advice
• Support you to make choices and plan for your future.

Website: https://www.manchesterlco.org/services/citywide-adult-community-services/manchester-macmillan-supportive-and-palliative-care-service/

Manchester Macmillan Supportive and Palliative Care Service Adult Referral Form: Macmillan Referral Form July final version

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Advance care planning for people with dementia guidance from NHS England
Weblink: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/my-future-wishes-advance-care-planning-for-people-with-dementia.pdf

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Dementia UK is a national charity, committed to improving quality of life for all people affected by dementia. They provide Admiral Nurses, who work with family members and carers in all care settings along with a helpline for family members or carers who would welcome accessing advice and support.
Telephone: 0800 88 6678
Email: direct@dementiauk.org
Weblink: https://www.dementiauk.org/

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Healthwatch is your health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear about your experiences. As an independent statutory body, we have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care. Last year we helped nearly a million people like you to have your say and get the information and advice you need.
Telephone: Call: 03000 683 000 between the hours of 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Friday
Email: enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk
Weblink: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/your-local-healthwatch/list

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What this guide is about

The death of someone close to us can be one of the hardest things we ever have to go through. Whether it’s expected or not, it can affect us in many different ways – and, unfortunately, we just have to cope the best we can. Grief is very personal and there’s no right or wrong way to deal with losing someone you love. But this guide explores how you might be feeling, why you might be feeling like that, and some of the things that could help – now and in the future. Age UK Bereavement leaflet

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