Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service
Annual Report
“Val, my counsellor was outstanding, She was appropriate, compassionate and professional. I honestly believe I would have given up without her lifeline.’’
Maryjoy
Chairs
Report
This is my ninth year as Chair of Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service and it has yet again been an unusual year. The Coronavirus pandemic is still affecting the way the service has been working over the year. I must again pay a heartfelt tribute to all the staff and counsellors for their work under such different and at times difficult circumstances.
It was good in September to have been able to thank the staff and Counsellors at an event held at Maple Leaf Counselling Centre. The weather allowed us to sit outside and enjoy not only the sun, food but good company.
By the request of Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group we are still working with Cruse to manage the increasing number of people who are needing counselling.
The details of the service provided this year can be found in the Service Manager’s report, but it should be noted that more people are taking advantage of the service. Despite increasing numbers, we have managed to keep waiting times lower than most other services.
During this year we have continued to offer face to face or telephone counselling, giving both clients and counsellors the choice of how the counselling is carried out.
We said goodbye to Helen Flannery this year. Helen had worked with commitment and good humour for the service as an Admin Assistant for 14 years. I must thank Helen for her service and wish her well in the future.
Finally, I must thank the Trustees for their continuing commitment to the service and again personally for their support and tolerance during this year of continued Zoom Meetings.
Sue Rose, Chair of SBCS
2021 was another challenging year for SBCS. As soon as the pandemic hit in 2020 we expected an increase in demand for our service, and this demand has continued. Those who were grieving were also isolated from family and friends, and deprived of the chance to say a proper goodbye, or hold a funeral in the way they would have wished. The ongoing trauma of this is reflected in our sessions with clients.
Service
Manager’s
Report
We all encounter bereavement at some point. Grieving is a natural process, with its impact on mental and physical health well understood. Many people can find their way through this time with the support of friends or family, plus there is still a certain societal expectation that we should ‘get over it’ in a relatively short time. However, the pandemic has changed all that, and we have seen an increase in clients who are experiencing more complex grief combined with the enforced isolation.
During 2021/2022 we delivered 1,880 counselling and assessment sessions and we received 372 referrals. Demand for our services continues to grow, and it is the hope that our input may potentially reduce the need for more complex or longer-term interventions.
This year SBCS has been working closely with Cruse, Marie Curie and Solihull CCG, developing and working with a bereavement pathway for anyone wanting to access bereavement counselling easily and quickly across Birmingham and Solihull. SBCS has once again this year been involved in the Suicide Prevention Programme through Solihull Public Health.
Supervision for our counsellors is provided monthly for 34 counsellors in groups of 4, for 3 hours. Our counsellors receive 1.5 hours per month each, which BACP states is the required number for safe practice. The team responsible for supervision are Gail Roberts, Bob Smallwood and Alison Wilkinson. I would like to thank them all sincerely for all that they give to SBCS, and during this year offering counsellors additional supervision as and when needed.
I would like to thank Helen Flannery, who has now left the service, Lisa McNamara and Val Whitlock for their support, hard work and commitment to the service, and helping me keep the wheels turning. I would also like to thank Sue Rose (Chair of SBCS) and the Board of Trustees for their support and trust in me; not forgetting our funders, Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group without whom this service would not be possible.
SBCS continues to develop strong relationships with partner agencies. We have good working relationships with Cruse, Marie Curie, Healthy Minds, Lyndon Clinic, Newington Centre, SIAS (Solihull Integrated Addiction Services) and many more.
Our counselling hours and number of referrals clearly show a need for bereavement counselling in the Solihull Borough, and, as an organisation, we endeavour to help those who need it.
Julie Swiffin M.A. P.G.Dip MBACP (Accred)
Service Manager
Counselling
Service
During 2021/2022 -
- We received 372 referrals
— an increase of 35% on the previous year.
- We provided 1,880 counselling and assessment hours
— an increase of 5% on the previous year.
The figures provided highlight our performance. The figures include counselling and assessment hours for SBCS clients.
“My Dad died suddenly last year and I was very lucky to have Bob to help me navigate through some difficult times. I think its an amazing service that you offer and will never forget the support, guidance and patience that this process gave me.’’
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Joanna
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Appendix 1 at the end of this report shows a breakdown analysis of the yearly client referrals for 2021/2022
Counselling Service
Clients who do not progress to counselling are either signposted to other agencies, or the clients themselves decide that one-to-one counselling is not what they wanted at the time of the assessment. SBCS’s aim is to assess clients within 4 weeks of their referral, and to allocate to counsellors within acceptable timescales. We train new volunteers each year, so we are fortunate to have counsellors available at all times. However, there are occasions during peak holiday periods when we have to delay allocations. Clients are always kept informed if there is a change to the standard allocation time.
‘’The counsellor helped me look at things from a different perspective which was helpful. I also never felt judged, which I was a little afraid of at first. That helped me open up and discuss anything I needed to without fear. I had a very positive experience’’
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Mandy
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We offer counselling appointments Monday-Friday from 9.00am till 7.00pm, ensuring we meet the needs of people who work, or have childcare issues.
Volunteers
The service has 34 volunteer counsellors. Each counsellor manages a caseload, which can vary from one to five clients. To ensure cover for the number of referrals we receive each year, SBCS endeavour to have approximately 30 to 34 volunteer counsellors available. Volunteers at SBCS need to have a Diploma in counselling, or be studying on a Diploma course. This high standard we require reflects in our service delivery and quality assurance.
We are very proud of our volunteers, and to show our appreciation we present a long service certificate at our Annual General Meeting to any counsellors who have completed 5 years service initially, and every subsequent 5 years thereafter. This is our opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and loyalty of our counsellors.
‘’Cannot thank Tessa enough and for the service that SBCS provided me during the most difficult time of my life’’
Annmarie
Training and Supervision
In compliance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework, SBCS continues to provide on-going training to all our counsellors. Each counsellor is required to undertake a minimum of ten hours continuing professional development training (CPD) per year as part of their contract with SBCS.
SBCS has tried to reduce the costs of training by external trainers and are grateful to those who have lowered their fee because of our charitable status.
‘’ I was given a safe space and time to talk to an experienced counsellor, I had the opportunity to reflect on my grief and understand my feelings and anxieties better, thank you’, an excellent service’’’
The following topics have been covered during the year (April 2021 – March 2022)
Suicide Prevention May 2021 (3.5 hours via Zoom) Gestalt Theory January 2022 (3.5 hours via Zoom) Gestalt Experiments March 2022 (5 hours in person)
Patricia
BACP Ethical Framework states that supervisors remain competent to carry out their role by attending monthly external supervision. SBCS pays for the supervision of our supervisors.
Counsellors attend group supervision sessions for 3 hours per month. This meets BACP guidelines of 1.5 hours supervision per month per counsellor.
Funding
Core funding from Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is specifically for the support of clients who live in the borough of Solihull or whose GP is part of the Birmingham and Solihull CCG.
We would like to thank our funders Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group for having confidence in SBCS and work in partnership with us. Thanks also goes to Charitable Trusts, who donate funds and support us. Without you, our work would not be possible.
‘’Maria was brilliant at getting me to examine myself and my feelings and challenge myself on my emotions. To help me recover and find answers for myself. Exceptionally valuable service. I had no idea what to expect really, but hugely beneficial.’’
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David
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Finance Report
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Staff
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We have 7 Trustees and this is an appropriate time to thank the Chair Sue Rose and the Board of Trustees for their support and commitment to the service.
Over the year the service employed one full-time Service Manager, three part-time office staff, and three clinical supervisors.
Service Manager 37 hrs per week Counselling Co-ordinator 7 hrs per week Administrator Assistant 7 hrs per week Administration Assistant 10 hrs per week Supervisors x 3 7.5 hrs. – 10.5 hrs per month, depending on how many supervision groups they supervise.
“I was able to talk to my lovely counsellor about everything and she was kind and understood completely how I was feeling. That was such a comfort and made me feel less isolated. You offer an amazing service, thank you for all your help, support, kindness and for showing me the way forward’’.
Heather
The Future 2021-2022
Achievements for 2021/2022 were:
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Delivering our service throughout the pandemic, and adapting our delivery
-
accordingly.
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Ensuring our counsellors received guidance, support, and training through supervision in the transition from face-to-face to telephone work.
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Continuing our in-house CPD to all counsellors, which was delivered via Zoom and in person.
“The counselling helped me to accept what had happened and to process the pain and understand all of its complex emotions. With that understanding, a clarity has come from it’’.
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Ryan
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Maintaining our supervision groups via Zoom.
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The opportunity to now offer clients telephone counselling in addition to face-to-face counselling, whilst still ensuring our service meets the needs of individuals, and keeping clients and counsellors safe.
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Our new website was launched in 2021.
Appendix 1
Referrals
372 Male 70 Female 302
April 2021 - March 2022
Referrals Analysis
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Group years |
Totals | Source of referral | Totals | Death of | Totals | Cause of Death | Totals | Interval from Death to Referral |
Totals | ||||
| 11-17 | 1 | Self | 32 | Husband | 62 | Cancer | 99 | Under 1 month | 1 | ||||
| 18-25 | 30 | GP | 94 | Wife | 16 | Heart related | 62 | 1 -3 months | 128 | ||||
| 26-34 | 52 | Family | 2 | Father | 87 | Other illness | 75 | 4 -7 months | 78 | ||||
| 35-44 | 58 | Health workers | 18 | Mother | 106 | Stroke/Aneurysm | 13 | 8 -12 months | 56 | ||||
| 45-54 | 81 | Hospital/Hospice | 1 | Sibling | 23 | Suicide | 16 | 13 - 18 months | 37 | ||||
| 55-64 | 77 | Social Services | 2 | Child | 14 | Accidents | 3 | 19 - 24 months | 13 | ||||
| 65-74 | 32 | Voluntary Agency | 136 | Grandparent | 17 | Road Trafc Accident | 2 | 2 - 5 Years | 41 | ||||
| 75-84 | 35 | SBCS Website | 85 | Partner | 23 | Covid 19 | 46 | 6-10 Years | 9 | ||||
| 85 & over | 6 | Friend | 1 | In- Laws | 3 | Murder/Assault | 1 | 11-20 Years | 8 | ||||
| Employer | 1 | Other relatves | 10 | Stll Born/Neonatal | 3 | Over 20 Years | 1 | ||||||
| Friend | 10 | Old Age | 10 | ||||||||||
| Sibling, Neonatal | 1 | Liver Failure due to Alcohol |
10 | ||||||||||
| Pneumonia | 14 | ||||||||||||
| Brain Tumor | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Dementa | 14 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 372 | Total | 372 | Total | 372 | Total | 372 | Total | 372 |
Appendix 2
- PLACE OF DEATH 2021 2022
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Solihull Hospital 11
Heartlands 99
Good Hope 5
Diff Hospital 53
Marie Curie 8
Nursing/resd 25
Own home 138
Other 16
Accident 4
Hospice 13
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| Income | vls | Expenditure | vb | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2022 | 202t | 2,V22 | ||||||
| 81,380 | CoreFunding | 78158 | 51,352 | Salaries | 47,344 | ||||
| 1,956 | Pensions | r966 | |||||||
| 2,500 | MajorDonations | 35s0 | 862 | Travel&other | 69 | ||||
| 1,895 | ClientDonations | 0 | 3,826 | OffrceExpenses | 2,510 | ||||
| 192 | OtherDonations | 688 | 2,620 | StaffSupervision | 2,630 | ||||
| 2,065 | TraningFees | 2280 | 1,000 | Training | 950 | ||||
| 16 | Bank Interest | t3 | 470 | Fees/Subscriptions | #7 | ||||
| 421 | Insurances | 421 | |||||||
| 940 | Giftaiddonations | 250 | AGMCosts | ||||||
| 1,021 | GiftAidtax | 0 | Advertising | 255 | |||||
| Counsellors&Staff | |||||||||
| Thankyou | 1,286 | ||||||||
| 434 | Equipment | ||||||||
| 69 | BankCharges | 97 | |||||||
| { | 90,009 | !, | 84,939 | 63,010 | Web Costs | f | .- 58,095 |
||
| Sutpktf | 26,999 | Surnlus | 26,844 | ||||||
| {. | 90,009 | *, | 84,939 | {. | 90,009 | 84,939 | |||
| Balance | Sheetasat31 | March2022 | |||||||
| Depositalcclf | f | 862s9 | Equityb/f | 62,449 | |||||
| Currenta/c | f | 3,034 | |||||||
| Cashinhand | t f, |
89,293 | Surplus | f, _f |
26,E44 89,293_ |
||||
| Pratt | |||||||||
| Treasurer | |||||||||
| 041ryri12022 |
| Income | vls | Expenditure | vb | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2022 | 202t | 2,V22 | ||||||
| 81,380 | CoreFunding | 78158 | 51,352 | Salaries | 47,344 | ||||
| 1,956 | Pensions | r966 | |||||||
| 2,500 | MajorDonations | 35s0 | 862 | Travel&other | 69 | ||||
| 1,895 | ClientDonations | 0 | 3,826 | OffrceExpenses | 2,510 | ||||
| 192 | OtherDonations | 688 | 2,620 | StaffSupervision | 2,630 | ||||
| 2,065 | TraningFees | 2280 | 1,000 | Training | 950 | ||||
| 16 | Bank Interest | t3 | 470 | Fees/Subscriptions | #7 | ||||
| 421 | Insurances | 421 | |||||||
| 940 | Giftaiddonations | 250 | AGMCosts | ||||||
| 1,021 | GiftAidtax | 0 | Advertising | 255 | |||||
| Counsellors&Staff | |||||||||
| Thankyou | 1,286 | ||||||||
| 434 | Equipment | ||||||||
| 69 | BankCharges | 97 | |||||||
| { | 90,009 | !, | 84,939 | 63,010 | Web Costs | f | .- 58,095 |
||
| Sutpktf | 26,999 | Surnlus | 26,844 | ||||||
| {. | 90,009 | *, | 84,939 | {. | 90,009 | 84,939 | |||
| Balance | Sheetasat31 | March2022 | |||||||
| Depositalcclf | f | 862s9 | Equityb/f | 62,449 | |||||
| Currenta/c | f | 3,034 | |||||||
| Cashinhand | t f, |
89,293 | Surplus | f, _f |
26,E44 89,293_ |
||||
| Pratt | |||||||||
| Treasurer | |||||||||
| 041ryri12022 |