Providing bereavement support through developing sustainable community partnerships

Background: It has been recognised that grieving people need ongoing broad-based community support. Relocating bereavement support groups into the community could introduce grieving people to more resources and supportive communities. This approach would also provide community grief education, assist in normalising death and dying and reduce societal taboo about death. Methods: Community centres within the Service catchment were identified, connections made and discussions held regarding building partnerships to address dying, loss and grief. Two centres embraced these ideas and there has been progress in developing these partnerships. Results: Closed Bereavement Support Groups have been held in both Neighbourhood Houses; in 2015 these groups are opening to others who are grieving and open grief education sessions co-facilitated with staff will be offered. Staff from one centre have requested involvement in a memorial service for forgotten Australians, and provide training in loss and grief for their staff. Conclusion: Developing community partnerships takes time; partnerships must not become dependent on the specific personnel driving the project. Further development of protocols will ‘embed’ the practice into the community settings. This is an organic process which will evolve in response to further development of the partnership.