Did you know that Dying Matters Awareness Week is an annual event which aims to make it easier for people to talk about death and dying? This year, the event is held from 6 to 12 May.
Losing a loved one is no doubt a difficult and painful experience. The Royal Navy Family & People Support (RN FPS), through their Visiting Officer role, provide timely and sensitive support to bereaved Service personnel and their families.
All RN FPS Visiting Officers (VO’s) are specialist welfare workers.
VO’s could be military or civilian staff; they are either qualified Social Workers or graduates of the Defence School of Specialist Welfare Course. This means that to be able to take on this role, they must successfully complete the appropriate training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge for their role and engage in continuous professional development to ensure they are best equipped to meet the needs of bereaved RN families.
The VO will make contact with a bereaved family, normally within 24 hours, of Kinforming by the Notifying Officer. They will support the family with their grief, and act as a conduit of information and access control between the family, the Chain of Command, and other interested parties. RN FPS will continue to provide direct support to the family until such time it is agreed that it is no longer required and all Service-related matters concluded.
VO’s are also appointed to work with Service Personnel who, following diagnosis, receive a poor prognosis. The VO will assist and support the Service Person and their families to prepare emotionally and practically for the challenges ahead.
If you would like to know more about the VO role or the support available through RN FPS, please contact [email protected]
Further support outside the Royal Navy can be found at:
GOV.UK:
Purple Pack bereavement guide for families of service personnel
What to do when someone dies: step by step guide
Veterans Welfare Service provides professional help and advice to veterans, their families and dependants, as well as those supporting veterans.
NHS:
Every Mind Matters - Trauma & Bereavement Support
ARMED FORCES CHARITIES:
RNRMC provides a grant to families should a Service Person die whilst they are still serving.
RMA - The Royal Marines Charity offer a range of assistance aimed at serving and former Royal Marines and their dependants.
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Widows Association offer support and friendship to the bereaved whose spouse/recognised partner was serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines at the time of their death
Scotty's Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved military children and young people.
NATIONAL CHARITIES:
Dying Matters | Hospice UK – provides an overview of the awareness week and various useful resources.
Mind offers advice and guidance on bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Care is a national charity offering face-to-face, telephone, email and website support. They also have a page dedicated to the Armed Forces
The Child Bereavement Network has an online directory of services aimed specifically at supporting bereaved children. Their website also has tips for parents and carers.
Marie Curie Telephone Bereavement Support is a free national helpline for people bereaved due to terminal illness. Call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 to find out more,or visit their website.
Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.
FURTHER LINKS TO OTHER SUPPORT:
The Good Grief Trust is a national charity that has a very comprehensive directory of bereavement support across the UK, listing specific services for people who have lost a child, partner, sibling, parent or friend.
Ataloss is a bereavement signposting website which can help people find bereavement support services and resources in the UK.
