Published on: 5 May 2023

The theme for this year is “Dying Matters at work”. The aim is to encourage communities to come together to talk about death, dying and grief in the workplace. 

We have events planned across Sunderland and South Tyneside 

South Tyneside:

This year, here at South Tyneside we are focusing on grief and bereavement. When a colleague is bereaved, we do not always know what to say. It is very normal to worry about how to talk to someone who is bereaved. While it is difficult, it is important that we speak to bereaved people so that they do not feel that we are not acknowledging their grief or that we do not care.

It is time to break down workplace taboo by supporting a bereaved colleague at work.

We should have the courage to talk about grief and courage to have open conversations.

What would you say to a colleague who is bereaved? We want to hear your ideas.

We will have stands in the following locations:

  • Alexanders Restaurant at South Tyneside District Hospital on 11 May from 11:30 to 15:00hrs
  • Clarendon reception area on 10 May from 10:00 to 14:00 hrs.

On each stand there will be a compassion tree to hang words or expressions that you think will be helpful to someone experiencing grief. What do you think a grieving person would like to hear?

What not to say to someone grieving:

Next to the tree will be a box to put words and expressions that we think would not be beneficial to someone grieving.

There will be information for staff on grief and bereavement and the bereavement support that is available.

Sunderland Royal Hospital: 

At STSFT, We want to encourage compassionate conversations in the workplace in support of our colleagues and develop confidence in one another to talk about those we have lost and for also our loved ones we are currently caring for.

We will have stands in the following locations: 

Wed 10th May 10am-2pm Entrance area of Staff Restaurant 'A floor'

Thurs 11th May 10am-2pm Refectory area in Education Suite

Theme ' If Dying matters - then in matters at work too' ..........

Our aim is to express those special memories and what matters most to us, using creativity and imagination.

Come along and get involved in the fun ????

Sunderland Community:

57% of employees will have experienced a bereavement in the last five years and every day, more than 600 people quit work to look after older and disabled relatives.

And yet, fewer than one in five managers feel very confident supporting someone they manage with a bereavement.

We’re heading out into the workplace to encourage a supportive environment for people who are ill, who are caring for those around them, or who have lost someone close to them.

We will be hoping for some rich discussion with employees and members of the general public:

Wednesday 10th May: Sunderland City Hall: 9am – 1pm

Sainsburys, Silksworth, Sunderland: 2.30pm – 4.30pm

 

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