Fed chair welcomes extra bereavement support for Fed members
12 May 2023
A new bereavement counselling service has been launched to support West Mercia Police Federation members struggling with grief following the death of a colleague killed in the line of duty or by suicide.
Members and their families can access free support thanks to a new partnership between National Police Wellbeing Service, Oscar Kilo, and bereavement support organisation Just ‘B’.
The service has been welcomed by West Mercia Police Federation chair Barry Horton.
Barry said: “Policing is a unique job in society. It’s extremely challenging and rewarding, but there are also inherent dangers, unlike most other careers.
“Officers build up a strong rapport with each through their shared experiences and that can be shattered if the unthinkable happens to a colleague.
“Police officers are only human after all and need to find an outlet for their emotions and to process their grief.
“So it’s really reassuring to know that support is there for our members and their families if that ever happens.”
Andy Rhodes, Oscar Kilo service director, said: “We have established this service with Just ‘B’ as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering key elements of the Police Covenant, ensuring that all police forces have options to be able to provide more support to officers, staff, but also their families.”
The bereavement counselling service is free and is being funded by Oscar Kilo as part of its work to deliver the Police Covenant and increase the support for police officers and staff and their families.
Counselling will be delivered face-to-face, online or on the phone. A referral will most likely be made by the Force’s occupational health or wellbeing team, following the usual process that is involved when a police officer or member of staff dies in the line of duty or by suicide.
The service includes:
- Counselling support for all immediate family members from a qualified counsellor trained in bereavement and trauma
- A counsellor will be allocated to each staff member, family member or bereaved family and work alongside them as they process and learn to manage their grief
- Just ‘B’ will work with parents or carers so they feel better equipped to support children and young people to understand the death and learn to express their grief
- Practical guidance and support allow individuals and families time to consider their ‘new normal’
- Provision of relevant therapy or counselling
- Signposting to charities appropriate to the situation
- A service tailored for children and adults: support for a family group or individual 1:1 work where applicable
- Options around peer support and network events to support families.
Just ‘B’ chief executive Tony Collins said: “Our tailored support will be there for police officers, staff and their families across the 43 police forces, ensuring it can be accessed during a time when it’s most needed following a death in service or by suicide, with our specialist support provided alongside existing structures in place.”
If you feel you need additional bereavement or wellbeing support then please speak to your line manager or contact the Federation.
