I have no doubt that the success of this campaign is due to the leading role taken by... INQUEST... It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with INQUEST on this campaign, particularly since it has led to successful outcomes! – Peter Hand, MENCAP
INQUEST firmly believes in the principles of engagement; the organisation was founded by families coming together to support each other, lobby and reform the investigative and inquest system. Equally important was the need for improvements to the treatment of bereaved people. For many families speaking to investigators, giving evidence at inquests, speaking to policy makers and the media is a new experience. It can be difficult, challenging and daunting.
This Skills and Support Toolkit encourages the development of specific skills and knowledge with the aim of giving people the ability to participate more fully in the democratic process should they wish to do so. This might be campaigns or writing to parliament, organising meetings or working with the media. It also deals with the more practical skills needed to support the wider family members after a sudden death, things like sorting out paperwork, writing to your children’s schools, dealing with employers, speaking to officials linked to the inquest, and meeting new people.
- give you detailed information on the investigation and inquest procedure or the law. This information can be found in the free INQUEST published guide called the Inquest Handbook
- provide a guide to coping with grief or the other emotions that can result from a sudden death. Dealing with those issues is a very specialist subject, and is best dealt with by professionally trained counsellors and people who work with bereaved people
- take the place of experienced workers who are trained to help.
However the skills explored in this toolkit may encourage you to seek further help, allowing you to make the time and space to grieve. It also aims to give you the tools to engage with the social and political process so things might change for the better, and other families won’t have to face some of the challenges you have.
