Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man is hosting a conference this month to raise awareness of issues around grief and bereavement. The conference – titled New Insights in Bereavement Care – is on February 23 at the Palace Hotel.

Amanda Cafearo, Service Co-ordinator at Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man, said: “The conference is primarily aimed at professionals whose work concerns issues around bereavement and grief, but it is open to anyone. The aim is to provide a forum within which to share knowledge and skills regarding grief and bereavement issues, enable those attending to develop more confidence to discuss these issues, and raise awareness of the support available in the community. By organising this type of event, Cruse aims to promote better understanding of grief, which in turn will lead to better care. It’s a one-day exploration of grief and bereavement issues featuring a packed programme of seminars, workshops and networking opportunities. We hope that the conference will become an annual event.”

Keynote speakers will be James Turner, Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University where he is Professional Lead for End of Life and Supportive Care; and Professor Sue Read who is Professor of Learning Disability Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Topics covered will include explanations of the latest research on therapy for those who have been bereaved; bereavement support for people with learning disabilities; bereavement through substance use; a workshop on issues regarding suicide; and bereavement in the workplace.

Professor Read will also give the inaugural Corrin Lecture named in honour of His Honour Jack Corrin CBE, TH, and Mrs Pat Corrin OBE who served as Patron and President of Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man for many years. They retired from their positions in 2014 – Geoff Karran MBE, TH, is now the charity’s Patron.

The conference is in memory of Mike Henthorn and is part sponsored by the Mike Henthorn Memorial Fund. Mr Henthorn, who passed away in 2015, was Vice Chairman of Cruse for nine years. The fund was set up in his memory by Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man.

Tickets to attend the conference cost ?45 for a full-day pass which includes entry to plenaries, a selection of workshops and seminars, plus lunch and refreshments. To book a place please email Amanda Cafearo at info@cruseisleofman.org – to be certain of a place organisers advise purchasing tickets before February 19th.

If you wish to support the charity, please phone 668192 to find out about sponsorship opportunities and fundraising events. For more information about Cruse Isle of Man go to www.cruseisleofman.org or Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man also operates a helpline 668191.

Photo - Amanda Cafearo.