Skills - 1.1 What skills do I use already
What skills do I use already?
Look at the skills in this chapter and tick whether you use them often, sometimes or never, and then tick the skills you would like to improve.Click here to read more >
Skills - 1.2 Planning skills
Planning day to day activities
Some of the things we need to get on with might not take a lot of planning, but they do need us to take action. We need to set priorities as doing things sooner rather than later can often make life easier.Click here to read more >
Things to do lists
Things to do lists are a very simple strategy of staying on top of things. Here are some helpful tips for making the most of your lists.Click here to read more >
Action Planning
An action plan is a way of organising the things you need to do and put an idea into practice. It is a way of being clear about what tasks are important, what support you need, and the best time to carry out each task. You can use an action plan for almost anything, no matter how simple or complicated it is.Click here to read more >
Dealing with obstacles
Before you can take on new challenges in your life it helps to work out what obstacles you face.Click here to read more >
Skills - 1.3 Organisational skills
Keeping contact lists
Once you have got into the habit of keeping lists it can be useful to keep a record of important people, telephone numbers, e-mail contacts and addresses. This might be for day to day things like your doctor, dentist, school or college, work numbers etc but it also works well for other families you might be in contact with, people on your local council, legal representatives or support agencies, journalists, other media, local MP etc.Click here to read more >
Keeping paperwork organised
Your personal paperwork is made up of documents or letters that give you information about money (e.g. bank statements), bills, insurance, benefits / allowances, health, housing (e.g. mortgage accounts or rent book), jobs (e.g. contracts or code of conduct), school / college, personal information (e.g. passport, will or driving licence).Click here to read more >
Keeping a diary
A diary can help you remember information and keep a note of how you use your time. Some people also use their diaries to write down their thoughts or to keep a note of what they did on a particular day.Click here to read more >
Dealing with important information and facts
Dealing with a sudden death, and the investigation and inquest, their aftermath and all the meetings, reports and possible support work, lobbying or campaigning means you will spend a lot of time listening to, and reading information and facts.Click here to read more >
Skills - 1.4 Dealing with people and new situations
Dealing with officials
From time to time everyone has to deal with officials, such as Benefits Agency staff, local council officers, doctors, teachers, employers, or staff from the investigation bodies, coroner’s court or police / prison service. It can be difficult dealing with officials. Their decisions can have a big impact on your life.Click here to read more >
Planning to travel
There is every chance that you will need to travel to new places during this process. This may be for the inquest; it could be to meet lawyers, caseworkers or to attend an INQUEST Family Forum or other types of meetings.Click here to read more >
Meetings
You may have experience of meetings through work, trade union membership, volunteer work, social activities or through any community or faith groups to which you belong. If you have no experience of formal meetings there are a number of aspects to meetings and it is worth looking at these so you know what to expect.Click here to read more >
Speaking in public
Speaking in public is a valuable skill to develop. The skills are transferable to any type of situation where you need to speak to a group of people.Click here to read more >
Skills - 1.5 Dealing with information
Dealing with information
Families have told INQUEST that the official information they receive is often difficult to understand and its purpose is unclear. This can include investigative reports, coroners’ rulings, official letters, reports or documents.Click here to read more >
Giving information
The death of a family member is emotionally distressing and can be even more difficult when the death is unexpected. Most people will have no idea about the practical tasks that need to be sorted out and it’s hard to make sure all the necessary information regarding the death is passed on to those that need it.Click here to read more >
Researching information
Finding out information about the state, prison service, police forces, health authorities or other public bodies can be difficult. Some families need more information about where they stand legally, about what care is expected from these bodies, or want to investigate more thoroughly for the benefit of other families, campaigns, publicity or lobbying.Click here to read more >
The Freedom of Information Act
Trying to establish facts and information from large government departments, local authorities or institutions like the police or prisons has always been difficult and often shrouded in secrecy. This is especially true when there has been a sudden death, the circumstances are hard to explain, or specific questions arise on important matters like staffing numbers, healthcare or staff training.Click here to read more >
Getting help with written information
When a family is faced with a sudden death there is a likelihood that one of the things that can present difficulties is the paperwork that follows. From registering a death, information about probate and wills, benefit entitlements, to investigation reports, letters and documents, families are put in a position of becoming “experts” in a subject that very few have ever had to deal with before.Click here to read more >