A local hospice is working with a Sutton Coldfield hair salon to support its staff to help people who are grieving.
The community engagement team from St Giles Hospice delivered a Bereavement at Work session to staff at Francesco Group Streetly.
The training highlights the impact of grief and bereavement and outlines ways to support people who have been bereaved, something which is vital for the team at the Burnett Road salon, according to owner Paul Corbett.
“As hairdressers, we often form close bonds with our clients, catching up on the good times and the bad times as we style their hair,” he said.
“People do confide a great deal in us about life, love and relationships and can often come in at a time when they need a boost or a significant occasion is coming up.
“Working with St Giles has been great because it has helped all of our staff understand the potential impact of a bereavement on a customer and also on friends, family and co-workers.”
For St Giles community engagement manager Ian Leech, working with organisations like hairdressers is an essential part of creating compassionate communities.
“Opening up conversations around bereavement and grief and giving people the confidence to have conversations about death and dying is a key part of the hospice strategy,” he said.
“We recognise these conversations happen in all sorts of places, from hairdressers and nail bars to taxis and pubs, so we are always happy to run sessions like this.
“It was great to see how the team at Francesco Group found some really practical ways to support clients who are grieving and now feel better equipped to have conversations around end of life issues.”
To find out more about hosting a session in your organisation in Sutton Coldfield, please contact Jenni Fryer on 0121 378 6292 or email jenni.fryer@stgileshospice.com
