Understanding Grief & Supporting Bereaved Students

"This training is an invaluable tool for universities. It enables us to begin to know what is useful in coming alongside students in grief and to feel supported through a very tricky topic. ” - Jenni Thomas, OBE. Founder, Child Bereavement UK

Our training programmes provide compassionate learnings about grief within a university context, based on in-depth research and real lived experiences of students. It has been carefully designed to equip people to have difficult conversations and provide appropriate bereavement support across Higher Education.

We cover:

• The emotional, physical, social and practical impacts of loss.
• Different models of grief with discussion.
• Key challenges faced by bereaved students.
• Student stories and case studies.
• Cultural considerations and international students.
• Complicated grief, including suicide loss.
• How to offer support and have sensitive conversations.
• Where to signpost for further help, and possible barriers.
• Protecting your own wellbeing while supporting others.
• Reflections and questions.

About the trainer:

Anna May is Founder of The Student Grief Network and Executive Head of Kaplan International Grief Programmes. She has a Level Three - Advanced Certificate in Grief and Loss and her work leans on extensive research and hundreds of conversations with students and staff, as well as her personal experiences. She now has over seven years experience delivering training, consultancy, workshops and events across the HE sector.

Her work has been featured by the BBC and Financial Times, and nominated for multiple awards including Future Human Leader of the Year with TLC Lions, the Storyteller Award with This Can Happen, and the Student Support Award with The PIE.

Feedback and testimonials:

“A massive thank you. It's refreshing to have such open conversations about grief. I feel much more comfortable talking about loss with students following this training.”

"Thanks for facilitating conversations which have enhanced our knowledge and capacity to support our students and ourselves. This training will directly really help, particularly during our busy Academic Appeals period. We have grown together as a group through the experience. Your delivery is knowledgeable, practical and compassionate."

“I really liked how open the session was. The training provided me with much more insight on the impact of grief on students and the unique challenges the student population face with this at university.”

“I enjoyed the session much more than I expected given the subject matter. There was a real sense of community and it was lovely to connect with other colleagues.”

We also offer this training for groups. Please find more information here.

Please email us at grief.programmes@kaplan.com if you have any questions.