HISTORY OF HOPE BEREAVEMENT CARE

HOPE Bereavement Care is the trading name of a service provided by the Barwon Bereavement Services Inc. [BBS Inc]

BBS Inc had its origins in 1985 in response to concerns about the lack of regional services offering support to families following the death of a child. In 1992, it formed a working relationship with the Sudden Infant Death Research Foundation Inc. – presently known as SIDS and Kids Victoria.

BBS Inc has grown into a highly respected essential service and support provider within our community. In 2004, the service provision of BBS Inc launched a new trading name: HOPE Bereavement Care. The service model has been developed on the following:

The service recognises the role of three different support providers for bereaved families:

• their own natural helping network of family and friends,
• others who are similarly bereaved who are able to share their experiences, and
• professional bereavement care providers.

The main components of the service of HOPE Bereavement Care are:

• a bereavement outreach service
• on-going contact with families
• group work
• community liaison, consultation, resources and information