Curam Care Homes are proud to support National Grief Awareness Week.
Running from 27th January to 2nd February, this campaign aims to raise awareness of grief and the supports and services available to those who feel they need extra support.
We are participating in the campaign by hosting information stands, with advice material from the Irish Hospice Foundation in each of our homes.
What is National Grief Awareness Week
2025 is the fifth year that the Irish Hospice Foundation has run the campaign. The aim behind the campaign is to encourage a more open, supporting and understanding approach to grief. January was specifically chosen as it’s a time that can be difficult for many people.
Grief is not something that follows a plan or a pattern. Grief does not go away and the way we experience it changes over time.
Support
What you can do for someone who is grieving.
You don’t need any particular set of skills to support someone who is grieving. Simple things such as asking them to go for a walk, or dropping in to them for a chat and a cup of tea can go a long way.
Most people who are bereaved like to talk about the person they lost. Don’t avoid speaking about them. Avoiding the subject doesn’t lessen the grief.
While it’s important to be there for someone in the early days of their grief, it is just as important to be there for them in the weeks and months ahead. There is no time limit to grief.
Professional support for those who are grieving
National Grief Awareness Week aims to let people know that no one has to grieve alone. The Irish Hospice Foundation in partnership with the HSE have created a dedicated Bereavement Support Line – 1800 70 77 which is available 10am – 1pm Monday to Friday.
This a National Freephone Service which provides a confidential space for people to speak about their experience or to ask questions, and provides information on practical supports that are available.
The Irish Hospice Foundation also have a Bereavement and Loss Hub on their website, with lots of information and resources for those experiencing grief.