Better support for grieving people
We are working with the Government, other bereavement organisations and healthcare professionals to improve support available for people who are grieving.
At some point in our lives we will all experience the death of someone close to us. But grief is complicated and affects us all differently. Issues such as depression and anxiety, financial instability, and loneliness are often not recorded or recognised as grief related.
9
people on average are bereaved anytime someone dies
GPs shared their concerns with us about limited services, long waiting lists and the lack of clarity about how best to support people who’ve been bereaved. Our research shows that 70% of people could not access the support they would have liked.
People should be able to get support in a way that works for them, whether it’s through health services, community based approaches, formal therapy support or friends and family who feel confident talking about grief.
We need to improve awareness among healthcare professionals and community leaders so that people know where to get the right support at the right time.
70%
of people cannot access the support they want *
We all need to have a better understanding of grief, the impacts it can have, and how to be grief kind. Sometimes the best support comes from family and friends. But people need to know it’s ok to reach out for help as well as feel confident in supporting others.
Employers must also understand how to play their part, and the positive impacts this can have for productivity and wellbeing.
86%
of people who have been bereaved in the UK felt alone in their grief
Support must work for people whatever their cultural beliefs around death and grief. And must be available in different languages, so that everyone who needs support can get it.
1 in 5
people cannot access culturally relevant bereavement services
We must make sure that bereavement services are developed and in place to support everyone who needs it.
How is Sue Ryder campaigning for change?
The largest survey of bereaved people in the UK shows a nation in serious need of support. We launched this survey at Parliament. We hope it will help influence government policy and be a foundation of more research of people’s experiences of grief.
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Most people will experience the death of someone they know at some point during their working lives. Read more here or download our ‘Grief in the workplace’ report below.
In 2020, 7.9 million employees experienced a bereavement. It’s clear that the workplace must play a role in supporting and allowing people to grieve. We provide evidence based recommendations to employers and policy makers to make this possible.
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To highlight our new research, which revealed mealtimes as being particularly difficult for people who are grieving, we installed an exhibit at Victoria Leeds shopping centre.
How can I support this campaign?
Sign our Letter to Government
We need the UK Government to commit to making changes to end-of-life care and bereavement support as a priority.