The Impact of COVID-19 on the Provision of Voluntary and Community Sector Bereavement Services: A Cross-Sectional Survey from the UK

ABSTRACT

Background/aims: During the COVID-19 pandemic, voluntary and community sector (VCS) bereavement services including hospices have played a central role in supporting the bereaved. We aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on these services to inform service development and policy. Methods: Cross-sectional online survey of VCS bereavement services in the UK, open March-May 2021, disseminated via national organisations, associations and networks, and social media. Results: 147 organisations participated;53% were regional, 16% UK-wide. 36% were hospice or palliative care services, 15% national bereavement charities or NGOs;12% local bereavement charities. During the pandemic referrals increased for 46% of organisations and decreased for 35%. 40.3% reported a current waiting list >3 weeks. 78.2% had changed services due to Covid;51.7% introduced new services. There had been a significant reduction in provision of all face-toface support including peer group meetings (50% to 4.1%, OR 0.04), facilitated group meetings (78% to 11%, OR 0.04), 11 support (87% to 27%, OR 0.06) and specialist intervention (44% to 16%, OR 0.25). Online and telephone provision saw major increases, particularly online 11 support (8.8% to 83%, OR 50.3), facilitated group meetings (4.1% to 56%, OR 30.48) and specialist intervention (3.4% to 36%, OR 16.01). Challenges included staff/volunteers providing support from home (69/64%), emotional impact on staff/volunteers (67/41%), increased pressure on staff due to client volume (41%) and complexity of needs (44%), implementing staff training (60%) and financial challenges (53%). 93% reported positive changes/opportunities during the pandemic, e.g., new coordination initiatives (47%). Conclusions: UK bereavement services rapidly transformed during the pandemic, despite significant challenges. To ensure positive changes and innovations are retained, the experiences and acceptability of new and adapted services among clients and staff require further investigation.