Employee training

Here you can find information about booking workshops or webinars for your organisation. Check your contract to confirm how many workshops are included.

We also regularly run free public events and webinars. You can find all our previously recorded webinars and upcoming events here.

Grief is a deeply human experience, yet many people feel unsure about how to support a colleague who is grieving. Only 17% of managers’ report feeling very confident in helping a team member after a bereavement, despite the fact that around 24% of employees experience a loss each year.
This session explores how grief impacts individuals at work and provides practical tools to support both ourselves and others through loss. Through guided reflection and discussion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of grief, learn how to respond with empathy, and contribute to building a workplace culture that acknowledges and supports grief
Every day in the UK more than 600 people leave employment to care for a loved one, contributing to a growing community of more than 5.8 million unpaid carers. In this one hour session, we’ll explore how workplaces can better support employees with caring responsibilities, and how we can each play a role in fostering a more compassionate and inclusive culture.
Through practical insights and real-life examples, we’ll discuss the importance of flexibility, open communication, and empathy in creating a supportive environment where carers feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.
Anticipatory grief, the emotional response to an expected loss, is a deeply personal and often overlooked experience. It can affect employees who are caring for someone with a terminal or life limiting illness. This session is designed to equip workplaces with the understanding, tools, and confidence to support individuals navigating this complex form of grief.
Through thoughtful discussion and practical guidance, we’ll explore the unique challenges of managing anticipatory grief while working. Participants will learn how to foster a compassionate workplace culture through flexible policies, open communication, and meaningful support. Ensuring employees feel seen, understood, and supported during some of life’s most difficult moments
In emotionally demanding roles such as health and social care, or supporting vulnerable individuals and families, professionals are frequently exposed to trauma, loss, and grief. Over time, this emotional labour can take a significant toll, increasing the risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.
This session explores how professional grief can manifest in both our work and personal lives. Participants will learn to recognise the signs of cumulative stress, understand the psychological impact of sustained exposure to distress, and explore practical, evidence informed strategies for self-care, peer support, and emotional resilience.
Together, we’ll reflect on how to sustain compassionate, high-quality care while safeguarding our own wellbeing and that of our colleagues, creating healthier, more supportive workplace cultures
As line managers, we are often called upon to support our teams through some of life’s most vulnerable and complex moments. This session is designed to deepen your understanding of compassionate leadership and equip you with the confidence to navigate sensitive situations with empathy and clarity.
From disenfranchised grief, such as relationship breakdowns, job loss, or infertility, to supporting employees facing terminal illness, bereavement, or caring responsibilities, we’ll explore how to lead with compassion and practical awareness. The session also provides guidance to help you apply your organisation’s policies, resources, and support frameworks in real-life situations.
By the end of the session, you’ll be better prepared to foster a compassionate and intentionally inclusive workplace, where compassion is not just encouraged, but embedded in everyday leadership

FAQ

How do I book a training session?

To book a session, please email the Compassionate Employers Team and include the following:

Organisation name
Title of the training(s)
Workshop or webinar style
Preferred date / time
Format - virtual (Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet) or face-to-face

You will then receive a confirmation email with further details.

What is the difference between a workshop and a webinar?

A workshop is an interactive training which is limited to 16 participants. This allows time for case studies, breakout groups and group discussion. A webinar allows for up to 100 participants, however, due to the number of attendees there is no smaller group work. The decision will ultimately come down to your training needs and organisation size.

What if I need more than two training sessions in the year?

If you would like to book more that two sessions, this can be purchased for an additional fee. Please contact the Compassionate Employers team for rates and more information.

How do I promote the session internally?

You can find full details of all workshops here. We recommend promoting the training 2-4 weeks beforehand.

If you require further support please contact us on compassionateemployers@hospiceuk.org

Your Compassionate Employers facilitators

Laura Barrett

Laura has worked at St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle upon Tyne since 2017, joining the organisation as a Senior Fundraiser and moving to the Bereavement team in September 2020 to take on a brand new role for the Hospice as Bereavement Support Worker, with a focus on digital developments.

Laura delivers St Oswald’s Grief, Loss and Bereavement training programme to organisations, helping them to manage bereavement in the workplace and to support staff and volunteers as they return back to work following a death. Her role involves developing and overseeing partnerships with other charities and businesses to develop a deeper understanding of loss, improve access to bereavement support and shape best practice.

She also provides 1 to 1 bereavement support to clients following the death of a loved one so has day to day experience with people grieving a loss and knowledge of the range of difficulties they face.

Your Compassionate Employers facilitators

Lucy Carpenter

Lucy joined as the Compassionate Employers Programme Lead in 2024. Lucy is a passionate Keynote Speaker, facilitator and storyteller. She completely transforms workplace cultures with compassionate leadership.

Lucy's personal experience allows her to talk with depth, compassion and understanding. Lucy envisions a world where all employers are equipped to advocate for and support employees through significant life moments. She has built the programme around three key pillars: greater visibility, education, and connection.