News – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

World Mental Health Day – 10th October 2022

13 June 202310 October 2022 by Jono

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) always keen to keep conversations around suicide bereavement and mental health flowing.

We were extremely proud to have been asked by BFBS Radio to join them today, on World Mental Health Day to talk about loss to suicide, the impact it has on mental health and the work that our incredible volunteers do.

We have two military veteran’s working at the SoBS National Office and they were more that happy to return to their military roots and chat to Tim about our charity. What an opportunity for Phill and Claire to reach out to the entire military community and show them that this is support available for ALL those bereaved by suicide.

Thank you to Tim Humphries at BFBS The Forces Station

Bereavement Benefit Rule Change

12 June 202327 July 2021 by Jono

DWP bereavement benefit changes could give 22,500 people backdated lump sum payment.

Once plans are approved, the changes will apply retrospectively from August 30, 2018.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has laid out new draft plans to the UK Parliament which will extend bereavement support to more than 22,000 people.

Previously, a surviving parent could only claim the financial support if they had been married or in a civil partnership at the time of their spouse or civil partner’s death. However, under these new plans, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Support Payments will be extended to surviving cohabiting partners with children who were living with their partner when they died.

It is estimated around 22,500 families will now be able to claim this vital help, totalling an additional £320 million in support for bereaved children over the next five years.

New Virtual Support Group Launched for Punjabi Speaking Women

12 June 202317 July 2020 by Jono

The death of a loved one is never easy to experience, whether it comes without warning or after a long struggle with illness. Research has shown that those bereaved by suicide are at an increased risk of suicide themselves. Added to that burden is the substantial stigma, which can keep those left behind, away from the much needed support.

This support group will run on the second Wednesday of every month starting from Wednesday 12 August at 7:00pm and will be facilitated by volunteers Binnie & Gurj. They are both experienced group leaders and currently run the Birmingham support group alongside fellow volunteer Bali.

The purpose of this group is to allow people to:

1. Talk to others who understand what they may be going through in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.

2. Open up, in their own way at their own pace and start to develop coping strategies to deal with their loss.

For many it will be the first chance that they have had to openly talk about what they are experiencing and how they are feeling. Just hearing how someone else or another family is coping with the aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide can help those who maybe at risk of suicide to feel more hopeful about their life and future.

To attend the above meetings please contact us on 07376 303438 or email us at birmingham@uksobs.org