Happy New Year!

I have some brave snowdrops pushing their green shoots through the cold soil of my front garden so it must be January.  Also, here on the north-west coast, Rich and I have been fortunate to not be as waterlogged as some areas of the country – our colleague Liz overcame the Oxfordshire waters to get to our first team meeting of the year last Tuesday. The Regional Development Project in England is half-way through its three-year remit so we feel energised and motivated to pursue our aims with even more enthusiasm as we commence 2014. A few days in Middlesbrough last month were very productive and I never cease to be delighted by the warmth of the welcomes we have so often received.  We have forged relationships in all six of our target areas now (in case you’ve forgotten, that’s Hackney, Hull, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newham and Stoke) and look forward to further progress this year. Bereavement awareness is certainly rising up the agenda in many areas – including parliament where issues around bereavement leave are currently being aired.

Next week we have the pleasure of meeting up with our Scottish colleagues who are undertaking a very similar project in Scotland, and we anticipate some constructive conversations with Steve, Eileen and Gabby – as well as some “team-building”!  Before returning home I’m travelling to Scarborough from Glasgow, to speak at a conference, so I’m rather hoping trains don’t get impacted by snow next week.  Indeed, I’m in London with Liz the day before we go to Glasgow, so it’s one of those weeks where trains and laptops figure highly.  The travelling reminds me that bereavement is a universal concern, and whilst each griever’s journey is unique, there is much to be said for a broader, shared understanding of those journeys in the wider population.  Whilst not wishing to wax too lyrical, I am immensely proud of the work Child Bereavement UK is doing to facilitate that growing understanding and support.  Whilst we may never eliminate sadness and suffering, we can certainly endeavour to eliminate ignorance and insensitivity.  Our thoughts go to those for whom a new year simply looks bleak in the absence of a much loved friend or family member.  And our encouragement and thanks go to those alongside who are offering their time and support.

Shirley