In session one we define some of the key words that underpin the whole of the Grief Aware ethos. These definitions influence how we understand grief and grieving and so this session, along with an overview of the wellbeing triangle, lays the foundations for the rest of the course.

In session two we look at the experiences of grief and recognise that grief is more than an emotion, encompassing not just feelings but thoughts, behaviours and physical responses too. Using the wellbeing triangle, we focus on the concept of ‘identity’, and we consider who we are and what has shaped us.

In session three we consider two theories of grief that have influenced how grief is understood not just in the academic world but by wider society too.

We use the wellbeing triangle to begin to engage with a sense of ‘direction’ as we reflect on where we’ve been, what we’ve come through and where we might want to be headed.

In session four we look at a third theory of grief which offers a more practical understanding of coping with grief, and we consider how it might help us see how our experience of grief is changing.

We use the wellbeing triangle to give some thought to our ‘inputs’ and ‘rhythm’, to identify what does and doesn’t help us cope and to set some goals which might help us head in the direction we want to head in.

In session five we look at one final theory of grief which brings together the course content and offers a framework for coping with both grief and grieving.

Using the wellbeing triangle, we think about those people who have helped and those who haven’t as we identify our ‘network’ and think about what those within it might bring to our grief journey.