Working with Bereavement and Loss Course 2020 – Taster/Information Session

We are delighted that you are considering studying on our Working with Bereavement and Loss course. The course will give you the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge required to support people who are facing or have been bereaved. The course enables students to develop their understanding of grief and the different approaches and interventions which will be required to provide support. There will be an opportunity for students to consider the impact of death and bereavement on a family unit as well as for adults, children and young people as individuals.

The course is delivered by members of the Family Support and Bereavement team at St Giles Hospice. It includes the opportunity for you to spend some time in a practice setting, if you do not have access to a setting where you can practice and implement your learning.

The course will develop your self-awareness and facilitate you becoming a reflective practitioner. There will be a requirement for some self-disclosure and a willingness to work with and share your own experiences of loss. The course is delivered as a learning experience and is not designed to be ‘therapeutic’. Those who are currently facing or have recently been bereaved should give careful consideration as to the requirements of the course and whether this is the right time for them to be engaging in such learning – if you have any concerns please speak to one of the tutors.

As a result of Covid-19 we may need to look at some blended learning for this course so some IT/virtual learning may be necessary and we may need to work with reduced numbers to be able to adhere to government guidance.

The course previously provided the learning required for completion of two City and Guilds qualifications, unfortunately City and Guilds decided to no longer offer these qualifications; obviously this does not affect the delivery of the course. Our courses are now recognized and endorsed by Skills for Care.

The course cost is £285 plus any additional cost which will be incurred if there is an opportunity to apply for the work to lead to a recognized qualification. The cost can be paid in 3 monthly instalments, a longer payment scheme may be available if required.

There will be a requirement to successfully complete a workbook and to be observed and receive feedback of interactions in practice with a client.

People choose to study on this course for a variety of reasons, it may be for your own professional development, it may be that you are interesting in a volunteering role or it may just be an area of interest. We consider this to be the basic level of training for anyone who is considering volunteering at St Giles, wishing to work as part of the Family Support and Bereavement team. Successful completion of the course does not automatically guarantee a volunteering role, this is dependent on the Hospice’s formal recruitment processes.

There is an opportunity for those who are successful in their application to volunteer at St Giles to be reimbursed for some of the cost of the course (further details will be provided).

Course Dates

18^th September:               09:30 – 16:30                     19^th September:               09:30 – 16:30

22^nd September:              18:00 – 21:00                      10^th October:                     09:30 – 16:30

20^th October:                     18:00 – 21:00                      23^rd October:                     09:30 – 16:30

24^th October:                     09:30 – 16:30                     17^th November:                18:00 – 21:00

24^th November:                18:00 – 21:00

There is also an optional practice session on 3^rd November, 18.00 – 21.00

Attendance on the first two full days is compulsory and there is a requirement for students to attend at least 80% of the taught component. There are no exams on the course but you will be required to complete a workbook and learning portfolio which will be submitted as evidence of learning. Students will need to allow additional time outside of the course hours to complete this. There is an opportunity for a ½ day placement.

Please book on to one of our taster sessions to get more information or email Deborah Banks, Deborah.Banks@stgileshospice.com

Please note, The taster session will be delivered by Zoom Video Call or Telephone Call, once you register your interest, we will contact you to arrange a 30 minute session within the drop in time.