Compton bereavement counsellor's major new book set to boost hospice

CONGRATULATIONS to Compton Hospice bereavement counsellor Dodie Gray, who has turned author to help others who regularly work with people who have lost loved ones, publishing a new book which will also raise money for the charity.

Mrs Graves has used her considerable experience in working with grieving relatives, having counselled for more than 15 years, to write Talking with Bereaved People – An Approach for Structured and Sensitive Communication.

As bereavement service co-ordinator for Compton, Mrs Graves recruits, trains and supervises a team of voluntary bereavement visitors, and has an excellent understanding of the approach and skills needed to deal with the delicate and often difficult subject of grief.

The book is aimed at anyone working with bereaved people, including counsellors, voluntary bereavement agencies, church pastoral teams, hospice and hospital staff, trainers and social workers.

“Lots of people feel awkward about what to talk about with a bereaved person once they have got past offering their condolences, but the person who has suffered the loss will often need to talk in order to come to terms with their grief,” explained Mrs Graves.

“I have written the book to assist those working with bereaved people, to offer some guidance on conversations which can really help the grieving person cope with their loss. It will also raise money for Compton Hospice, which does wonderful work to help people during their lives, as well as those they leave behind.

“I have tried to structure the book so that the advice I give is flexible and can be adapted, rather than just offering prescriptive instruction, which to the bereaved person, may end up sounding a little mechanical.

“People working with someone who is mourning need to be good at active listening, and be aware of the many issues surrounding bereavement, some of which I aim to address with in the book.”

Mrs Graves outlines six practical elements in the book for conversing with bereaved people, along with advice on how to use this to talk to individuals and groups, along with anecdotes, case studies and useful creative activities that can help each process.

Sue Chance, head of PR and fundraising at Compton, said she was delighted that so many other people would now be able to benefit from the experience and sensitivity of Mrs Graves.

“We have always been aware of how lucky we are to have someone like Dodie at Compton, and now, thanks to her book, her experience and approaches can be shared with many, many more professionals.

“We are also extremely grateful that Dodie has decided to donate the proceeds from the book to Compton, where it will help many more people in life, as well as bereavement.”

Hospice staff and volunteers will be invited to find out more about the book at an event at The Cedars on Friday, October 23 at 2pm.

The book, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, is available now online and at all good book stores. It’s published at £17.99 and can be bought online for around £12.99. All royalties and profits will go to Compton Hospice.