New training launched to help professionals support people through grief

A new training resource to help professionals support bereaved people through some of life’s most difficult conversations has been launched by Loughborough University, working with Derbyshire charity Treetops Hospice.

The module uses anonymised recordings of real conversations from bereavement support settings and forms part of RealTalk, an evidence-based communication programme.

It helps clinical professionals better understand how people talk about grief, loss and changing relationships after the death of a loved one, while offering practical guidance on leading these conversations with sensitivity and compassion.

The launch reflects a key principle at Treetops Hospice that sharing experiences and telling personal stories can play an important role in helping people navigate grief.

Alongside its counselling service, Treetops runs community Bereavement Hubs, where people can meet others who understand the challenges of losing someone close. While not a formal counselling service, the hubs provide a safe space to share experiences, find support and connect with others facing similar challenges, reflecting many of the principles explored in the new training module.

Sharan Harris-Christensen, Head of Clinical Quality and Education at Treetops Hospice, said: “We see every day how powerful it can be for bereaved people to share their stories, talk about their loved ones and connect with others who have had similar experiences.

“These conversations can help people feel less alone and more understood during an incredibly difficult time.

“The new RealTalk module highlights the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces where these conversations can happen. Equipping professionals and trained volunteers with the skills and confidence to facilitate them sensitively is essential in providing compassionate and effective bereavement support.”

Dr Marco Pino, of Loughborough’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities, who developed the training, said: “What makes this approach different is that it isn’t about giving staff and volunteers a script or telling them there is a ‘right’ thing to say to someone who is grieving.

“It is grounded in what actually happens when bereaved people talk about their experiences.

“By studying real conversations, we can identify skills that help people feel listened to, such as listening without judgement, encouraging reflection and recognising that everyone experiences grief differently.

“It moves away from trying to provide answers or fix someone’s grief and instead gives people the space and support they need to tell their own story.”

Since becoming a licensed delivery partner in 2022, Treetops Hospice has helped bring RealTalk’s evidence-based learning to professionals working across healthcare, hospice and community settings.

The research for the programme was started by Professor Ruth Parry and the VERDIS project team, with Dr Marco Pino joining in 2013. Academics from Loughborough University continue to play a key role in the programme’s ongoing development and evaluation.

To find out more about RealTalk, visit: https://www.realtalktraining.co.uk/