Missing Someone Who’s Still Here; A Conversation About Grief, Loss and Caring For Someone You Love

When someone you care about becomes increasingly unwell or needs more and more help, you can sometimes find yourself grieving for the person – or the life you shared – even though they are still here.

You may feel sadness about how things have changed, miss the person they used to be, or find yourself thinking about what the future might hold, and because we don't often talk about these feelings, it can feel as though you're experiencing them alone.

If any of this feels familiar, or even if it doesn't, we invite you to join researchers from the University of Surrey and people with lived experiences, for a free, informal online conversation about this often-unspoken part of caring. Sometimes called ‘anticipatory grief’, these feelings can begin long before someone dies. Research suggests that up to one in four carers may experience anticipatory grief, yet much of the support available to carers around grief and loss only comes after a bereavement.

Dr Sarah Combes, Dr Richard Green and Dr Faith Howard are leading the NIHR-funded STRENGTH study, listening to unpaid carers across England to better understand their experiences, the support they feel is missing and what might genuinely help.

The team will share what carers have told them through the research so far. You’ll then have the opportunity to join a small, friendly conversation exploring what you would want other carers to know about grieving for someone who is still here, what helps and what could make things easier. 

There is no pressure to share anything personal, you can simply listen and reflect. This isn't a lecture, a clinical session or a support group, it's a chance for carers to come together for a warm and respectful conversation with researchers who want to listen and learn from the people who understand this experience best.

A graphic artist will also capture the main ideas and experiences shared during the event, with the final illustration being sent to attendees and shared more widely to raise awareness of this often-hidden side of caring.

This free online event is particularly for people caring for an older family member or friend, as well as family members and people who work with or support carers. The online format has been chosen to make it easier for people with caring responsibilities to take part from home.

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science - Please review the University of Surrey's Privacy Notice regarding events here.

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