SOUTHEND Hospital’s Bereavement Suite has been making families’ lives easier in the worst of times for the past decade.

The staff at the suite celebrated the milestone last week.

Between them, they have almost 50 years of experience between them.

The dedicated group includes one full-time bereavement coordinator and five volunteers, some of whom have been a part of the team since it opened ten years ago.

Over that time there have been many stories where the suite has enabled bereaved families to access support after a loved one has died.

The Bereavement Suite offers people a quiet, peaceful space for families to gather their thoughts as they go through the painful process of getting their affairs in order.

Julie Kent, from Leigh, has been the bereavement coordinator at Southend Hospital since June 2017 and brings with her years of bereavement experience, having worked in the trust’s bereavement office since 2010.

The suite offers a unique service as, at many other hospital sites, relatives collect a death certificate and then must register it at the civic centre.

At Southend, that can all happen under one roof in an accessible, bright and welcoming location. Free parking is also available for any bereavement suite appointments.

Julie said: “Lots of care is put into the start of people’s lives. It is just as important at the end of their lives. Lots of people don’t know how to feel, we are here to listen and help.

“Our Bereavement Suite adapts to what people want it to be, whether that be a meeting room, private space, a place to cry, or to laugh and remember. It’s really special and proud to be able to help families.”

One of those people Julie has helped this week is Alison Patrick, a teacher from Hertfordshire. She has just lost her aunt and came into the suite to collect her aunt’s belongings.

Alison said: “Because we live further away in another county, having the support and resources here gives time for reflection and takes away some of the pressure when someone has passed away.

“The step by step explanation of what we needed to do and knowing that any concerns could be addressed has made the grieving process so much easier.

“This environment in the Bereavement Suite is so peaceful and calming. It’s a facility that we don’t have in Hertfordshire.

“Having someone to contact regarding the death of my aunt has made the experience more personal and the suite is a great and unique addition to the hospital.”

The suite has always been strengthened by a team of dedicated volunteers who generously commit their own time to support bereaved families.

One of those volunteers is Barbara Black, from Shoebury, who has volunteered for the last eight years, six as a volunteer and two employed as the bereavement coordinator one day a week.

She said: “Being here gives me an awful lot of satisfaction, I’m a talker and a listener and people come to us with lots of questions, such as will their relative stay in hospital? When will they go to the funeral director? Will they be clothed or not clothed? We are here to help and guide them.”

The other volunteers – Hilary Warner, Jean Cassidy, Ann Caswell and Nigel Robinson – have been with the Bereavement Suite since it first opened.

Prior to the opening, all hospital deaths were registered at the Civic Centre.

That meant the bereaved needed two appointments – one at the hospital and one at the civic centre.

The bereaved can still choose to register at the Civic Centre, however, most choose the hospital site as it can provide the ‘one-stop’ process.

The two services working together forged an “even stronger alliance” to provide a better experience for those early in bereavement.

Louise Harper, bereavement and registration team manager at Southend Council, said: “The council’s registration service is very proud to continue to work with Southend University Hospital in helping families at a very difficult time. We have collaborated for the past ten years by running a Registration Service within the Hospital Bereavement Suite.

“This means families are able to visit the Chapel of Rest, collect loved ones’ belongings, discuss any concerns and seek support with hospital staff and then register the death all in one place.

“Having this smooth process has really helped families with much needed support and means that they have more time to arrange next steps.”

Visit www.southend.nhs.uk/for-patients-visitors/advice-and-support/bereavement.