Are you an ‘enabler’ (i.e. community worker, outreach worker, ‘go-getter’- motivated resident); somebody who would like to attract interest from local residents to help set up and run a Bereavement Peer Support Community Group?

This free training will provide you with all the necessary information and support to develop a STAR bereavement peer-support group in your local area.

The original STAR group was set up in Stockwood in Bristol using an Asset-Based Community Development approach (ABCD). The group became known as STAR (Share, Talk & Remember) and over the past 3 years has provided free support for people grieving from a bereavement or difficult transition in their life.

This training aims to cascade the core principles of the original STAR group to create a network of STAR bereavement peer-support groups across Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos, which are self-sustaining, have strong foundations and are led by local residents.

About the training

The training involves 4 workshops (2 hours each) taking place on a weekly basis via Zoom, followed by a reflection / catch-up a little while after. Please see further details below for the dates and objectives of each workshop module.

This course will run on a Thursday evening, 6pm - 8pm, from 29th September 2022 until 20th October 2022. Participants would ideally be able to attend all of these sessions.

If you are unable to attend on Thursday evenings, there is also the chance to sign up to do the training on a Wednesday afternoon (see Eventbrite for more information). Alternatively, if you both dates are not doable for you and you'd like to express an interest in doing the training, please either visit the STAR website (wwww.starsconnecting.com) and send a message or email starsconnecting@outlook.com giving details of which days/times you are free and, depending on interest, we may be able to negotiate an impromptu training group in addition to these fixed training dates.

This training is primarily aimed at people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, however if you are based outside these areas then we would still love to hear from you. If you are outside the area, please be aware that a booking will not be free and will incur costs, which are negotiable.

Workshop dates and objectives

Module 1 (29th September, 6pm - 8pm)

Introduction – Overview of the Stockwood STAR project including short videos and audio input from the team.

Module 1 objectives:

Share concept of creating a home grown, voluntary community group, utilising the ABCD approach.

Explore a rewarding and sustainable model of a Bereavement Peer Support Group.

Inspire participants to take the next step in initiating a STAR Bereavement Peer Support Group in their community.

Module 2 (6th October, 6pm - 8pm)

You are unique! It’s ok to not be ok!

Module 2 objectives:

Gain an awareness of how we experience loss & bereavement.

Explore theories and models of grief.

Explore aims & objectives for a community service.

Give consideration to Terms of reference, Core Values and Work Ethics.

Review the Stockwood STAR material – take away to identify whether to adopt or use as a protocol for own group/service.

Module 3 (13th October, 6pm - 8pm)

ABCD Approach and Mapping your community

Module 3 objectives:

Establish ‘what is your community & what does it consists of?'.

Gain an awareness of the assets that exists within your group and within your community, and recognise the gifts and opportunities.

Module 4 (20th October, 6pm - 8pm)

Building the foundations & a confident Support Team

Module 4 objectives:

Identify roles and responsibilities within the support team.

Explore a wish list to include: resources, venue, literature, working documents.

Focus on establishing a strong foundation for the support team.

Explore strategies to practice terms of reference, code of conduct/core values.

Explore communication, support and camaraderie.

Identify structure for team meetings.

Identify training needs including safeguarding, confidentiality, communication skills.

Follow-up (Date to be confirmed)

Reflection and Sharing Workshop (approx. 2 months after module 4)

Prospective progression from completing the training

All participants are encouraged to apply their learning, utilise the resources they have been given and take steps to reach out to the wider community and engage with local resident to help set up their own group. Participants will be equipped to cascade their knowledge, and support to the group to enable the group to adopt the STAR model.

Please note: Every member of the STAR group that you help to create is not volunteering for an organisation, they are establishing a voluntary community entity which will aim to become self- sustaining with the support of many community assets (institutions, organisations etc).

Questions?

If you have any questions about the training, feel free to contact Jan Perry by emailing starsconnecting@outlook.com or phoning 07595165082.