Federation welcomes new scheme to offer extra bereavement support for members

South Wales Police Federation has welcomed a new scheme which offers free bereavement support to the families and colleagues of officers killed in the line of duty or who take their own lives.

The bereavement counselling service is being provided thanks to a new partnership between the National Police Wellbeing Service, Oscar Kilo, and bereavement support organisation, Just ‘B’.

Branch chair Steve Treharne said the initiative was a welcome addition to the support already available for loved ones and colleagues after the death of an officer or staff member.

He said: “It is so important that bereaved family members and colleagues of fallen officers are given whatever help and support they need every step of the way.

“Everyone reacts differently to a death in service but it is essential that a strong support network is in place and easily accessible for those that need it.

“We welcome the initiative launched by this new partnership and hope it goes from strength to strength as it provides an essential service to anyone struggling to cope with a bereavement.”

The service will be entirely funded by Oscar Kilo and provided through specialist bereavement service Just ‘B’, which will allocate a counsellor to each person, providing either group or one-to-one support, to help manage their grief.

Just ‘B’ provides expert emotional wellbeing and bereavement support, as well as information and advice to a range of individuals, including professionals experiencing any type of bereavement.

Wellbeing team

A referral will most likely be made by the Force’s occupational health or wellbeing team, following the usual process that is involved when a police officer or member of staff dies in the line of duty or by suicide.

The partnership demonstrates the ongoing commitment being made by Oscar Kilo to deliver the Police Covenant, by ensuring that all police forces have options to provide more support to officers and staff, as well as their families. 

Just ‘B’ chief executive Tony Collins said: “Our tailored support will be there for police officers, staff and their families across the 43 police forces, ensuring it can be accessed during a time when it’s most needed following a death in service or by suicide, with our specialist support provided alongside existing structures in place.”

If you feel you need additional bereavement or wellbeing support then please speak to your line manager or contact the Federation. 

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