As parents to Emma, who passed away at 18, my wife Maree and I reflected on the experience of being in hospital, just prior and after her death, and the absence of any bereavement care at this time. A journey then began on which we felt largely alone, apart from the love extended by family members and a married couple, who were friends since youth.  It was this experience of aloneness that ultimately inspired four mates, who themselves had made awkward, but persistent attempts to understand our needs, to encourage me to seek a way to ensure other parents’ experience would be different with appropriate bereavement supports offered to them.

 

After connecting with social work team members at the Queensland Children's Hospital, we envisioned the development of a peer mentor program. The program would involve parents with lived experienced being recruited, trained and matched with newly bereaved parents, to walk with them on their grief journey. With this clarity of purpose, the charity, Ladybird Care Foundation was established, with funds raised to sponsor a program lead for this Australian first initiative.

 

After nine months of the program’s operation, we have 15 mentors assisting 23 families by delivering 140 engagements.  The intention is to ensure that every parent has access to this well-established method of bereavement care. 

 

A notable outcome of these mentoring relationships is the bond formed between mentors and mentees based on the mutuality of each other's experience. Mentees have responded positively in having someone to talk with who "just gets it". Mentors expressed their privilege in sharing the intimate thoughts and emotions of mentees and have found a renewed sense of purpose.

 

In sharing a personal story of love and loss, it is hoped that a greater community understanding for the needs of bereaved parents has emerged.   

 

 

ladybirdcarefoundation.org