When your loved one has died
If you’re reading this because the person you cared for has died, our condolences on your loss. This will be a very difficult and sad time for you – and the rest of your family.
On this page we have some guidance on coping with the loss of your loved one, and some suggestions of support and other opportunities that might be of interest, when you feel the time is right.
Unfortunately, because of our fixed resources, these opportunities are only for carers already registered with us, Action for Carers Surrey, and for up to one year following the loss of the person you care for.
We’re here
Most importantly, don’t forget we’re here. Our Carer Helpline Advisors can continue to speak to you about anything that’s concerning you. They can provide information, advice, and support, or just simply listen. Call 0303 040 1234,
If you need advice with forms or any other issues, particularly surrounding the loss of your loved one, we can put you in touch with one of our Carer Support Advisors in your area.
If you’ve been registered with us we’d be very happy for you to stay as ‘part’ of Action for Carers for up to one year following your bereavement, and receive our quarterly newsletter, bi-monthly email and other communications, if you’d like to. These include events, activities and consultations of interest to former carers.
Workshops and events
You are welcome to join any of our events and workshops, currently taking place via Zoom.
They include wellbeing and creativity, for example, Mindfulness, Yoga, Pilates and crafts.
You are also welcome to attend sessions which focus on issues which are still part of your role as a former carer. Please let us know if you have suggestions for issues would like us to address.
Workshops that may be of particular interest:
Bereavement Workshop
To explore how it affects people physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. To share ways to cope with bereavement.
Building Emotional Resilience Workshop
This workshop offers a basic understanding of how we can build resilience, and the things that prevent us from doing so. Understanding the difference between pressure and stress, and learning to turn ‘surviving into thriving’.
Anxiety and Loss Workshop
This workshop helps carers gain a basic understanding of anxiety, the symptoms of anxiety, factors around anxiety and loss and strategies
Celebrating Life: Remembering our Loved Ones
This will be a time for carers who have lost the person they have cared for, to remember, meet others, share experiences and take part in an activity which will celebrate the life of their loved one.
Life after Caring
This workshop will look at managing change, opportunities to work or volunteer, benefits and finances, confidence building and other issues carers wish to address.
Thinking about work
You may now been in a position where you want to retrain or re-enter the workforce, if your caring role limited your working life. While you were caring you will have developed skills that may be very useful.
Charity Carers UK have a programme that may help, called ‘Learning for Living’. It is a tool for carers to help validate their skills gained through caring. The free 2-hour online course covers 5 different modules covering techniques for learning and communication and developing assertiveness and confidence. A carer will receive a Digital Badge on completion which employers recognise as part of professional development.
Volunteering
See also our volunteering page.
Bereaved carers want to help, we can volunteer to give back.
There are lots of ways to volunteer.
- Hub volunteers – people helping out at our drop in Hubs
- GP volunteers – visiting Surrey GP practices to help ensure they have up-to-date information
- Drivers – delivering gifts and products, for example to at Christmas
- Take part in fundraising
- Help with the newsletter—carer to carer pages
- Become a Trustees – our Trustees are all volunteers, most are carers or ex carers.
We are continuously developing ways to support carers which volunteers would be welcome to work on with us.
If you feel you have a skill which you are willing to share then please contact Rachel Brennan, Manager of the Adult Carer Support Service.
Carers to be able to help other carers.
Using your experiences
Your experiences as a carer — both good and bad — are hugely important. Your views and experiences can help to make changes for the better for all carers, both in Surrey and nationally. As a former carer, you are likely to have a great deal to contribute.
There are many ways to do this.
Our ‘Giving Carers a Voice’ programme
We run a wide range of consultations for carers and former carers, on topics such as social care. We also have a ‘Carers’ Parliament’ made of carers and former carers to address key issues.
External consultations
We encourage carers to have their voice heard by taking part in external consultations, both in Surrey and nationally.
Sharing your story
Would you consider sharing your story with others? We often share carers’ stories in our communications, as they resonate with other carers, as well as helping others understand carers’ lives better.
The media also ask us for carers who will share their experiences and comments in print, radio and TV. If that’s also of interest, please let us know.
Fundraising
We hope you feel you have benefitted from the support offered by Action for Carers, and the other carers you may have met on your caring journey.
Action for Carers aims to support all Surrey’s carers, aged 5-95. As you know we offer a wide range of support and activities. Although we receive much of our income from Surrey County Council, we also fundraise to be able to do more. When the time is right, you may be interested in fundraising, and if so, we’d be delighted to have your support. Find out more.
