National Grief Awareness Week 2021
30 November 2021
Grief is an experience unique to each of us, and something we carry with us for much of our lives. Join Student Support and Wellbeing for a week of events to support you to feel seen, heard and understood in your own experience of grief.
Monday 6 December
The Grief Journey
12:00-12:30, online via Microsoft Teams
An in-depth look at the grief journey and how varied and unique it is, and how different it can sometimes be from our expectations. From the rollercoaster of emotions and waves of feelings, we will explore this journey together. In this session, Valentina from Student Psychological and Counselling Services will talk about common misconceptions about grief, and how we can relate to others going through the same experience.
Bereavement support group
19:30-20:30, online via Zoom
This is your space to explore your feelings around any bereavement that you may have experienced (recently or in the past). Led by life coach and mental health trainer, Bernadette Davies, this group session is here to help create a sense of community, so that you can talk to others experiencing similar emotions.
There will be a maximum of 15 participants to help facilitate safe conversations. Please note, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up to join us.
Tuesday 7 December
Supporting a friend: the power of listening
19:00-20:00, online via Zoom
Actively listening to someone who is feeling low, suffering emotional pain or going through something that is overwhelming has the extraordinary ability to make them feel validated, give them back their self-belief and empower them to find a way through their struggles. Come along to learn some key skills from life coach and mental health trainer, Bernadette Davies.
There will be a maximum of 15 participants to help facilitate safe conversations. Please note, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up to join us.
Wednesday 8 December
Bereavement support group
17:30-18:15, online via Microsoft Teams
This is your space to explore your feelings around any bereavement that you may have experienced (recently or in the past). This group session is here to help create a sense of community, so that you can talk to others experiencing similar emotions.
There will be a maximum of 5 participants to help facilitate safe conversations. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To book, please email Valentina directly: v.arnold@ucl.ac.uk
Thursday 9 December
Signs of grief
17:00-17:30, online via Microsoft Teams
Grief and loss can carry many expected and unexpected signs. These can be physical, emotional and/or spiritual. Join Valentina from Student Psychological and Counselling Services for a look at all the signs together and find ways to cope with some feelings that you may find difficult.
Friday 10 December
Different types of loss and grief
16:30-17:00, online via Microsoft Teams
Grief can result from different types of loss, such as a relationship break-up, or losing a job or losing a favourite pet. Join Valentina from Student Psychological and Counselling Services to explore the different types while understanding what kind of grief we may be experiencing in our lives.
Monday 13 December
Bereavement support group
17:00-18:30, online via Zoom
This is your space to explore your feelings around any bereavement that you may have experienced (recently or in the past). Led by life coach and mental health trainer, Bernadette Davies, this group session is here to help create a sense of community, so that you can talk to others experiencing similar emotions.
There will be a maximum of 15 participants to help facilitate safe conversations. Please note, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up to join us.
Tuesday 14 December
How to cope with memorable dates, anniversaries and holidays
09:00-09:30, online via Microsoft Teams
Following a loss, we will unfortunately come across many memorable dates, which will further trigger our emotional pain during our grief journey. Together we can look at ways to cope around these special dates, especially the very difficult first ones, led by Valentina from Student Psychological and Counselling Services.
Student Support and Wellbeing
Student Support and Wellbeing is here for all UCL students. Explore our bereavement resources, including practical advice, counselling and external support.
Read UCL student Esther's experience and tips to support with grief.
Read a UCL student's experience of grief, family and religion.