Northern Trust launches bereavement support booklet for adults with learning disabilities
- Love Ballymena
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Members of the Northern Trust’s Palliative Care and Learning Disability Working Group with the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Neil Kelly.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has launched a new, easy-to-understand booklet to support adults with learning disabilities through bereavement.
The resource, titled ‘When Someone Dies’, aims to help individuals navigate the emotional and practical challenges associated with loss and grief.
Developed collaboratively by Trust professionals working in palliative care, bereavement and learning disability services, alongside input from those with lived experience and support from the NI Hospice, the booklet has been designed with clarity, compassion, and accessibility at its core.
The booklet uses simplified language and supportive imagery to explain topics such as the meaning of death, what typically happens when someone dies, and what to expect at a funeral.
Pictured at the launch of the When Someone Dies booklet, including Trainee Consultant Nurse for Learning Disability Seamus Coyle, Learning Disability Acute Liaison and Learning Disability Practice Educator, Caroline Quinn, clinical lead Speech and Language Therapy for Adult Learning Disability, Karen Bonar, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Neil Kelly and service users and support workers who helped to develop the new resource.
It also introduces the concept of grief and includes practical ways to cope with difficult emotions. Importantly, there is space for personalisation through photographs and drawings, helping users process loss in a way that is meaningful to them.
To complement the booklet, a detailed guidance document has been created for carers, families and healthcare professionals. It offers practical advice, conversation tips, and a checklist of useful items to ensure the resource can be used with confidence and empathy.
Caroline Quinn, Learning Disability Acute Liaison and Learning Disability Practice Educator, speaks at the launch.
Alison Craig, Macmillan Palliative Care Service Improvement Facilitator, explained the motivation behind the project:
“People growing older with learning disabilities often do not have the same access to palliative care and bereavement services as the general public, and we wanted to work together to change this.
“Research shows that adults with a learning disability will experience several significant bereavements of family or friends and they want to be involved in conversations about death and dying.
“Our working group also found that many staff, carers and family find these sensitive conversations difficult, and we hope having this new resource will make a difference during what can be a very sad and upsetting time.
“We have taken great care to create something meaningful and we’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from the Northern Trust’s Adult Learning Disability Service User Forum.”
Caroline Quinn, Learning Disability Acute Liaison and Learning Disability Practice Educator, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Neil Kelly and Trainee Consultant Nurse for Learning Disability Seamus Coyle pictured at the launch of the ‘When Someone Dies’ booklet which aims to help adults with learning difficulties to navigate the challenges and sensitivities around death.
Highlighting the resource during Learning Disability Week 2025, Seamus Coyle, Trainee Consultant Nurse for Learning Disability, stressed the significance of recognising the experiences of people with learning disabilities when coping with grief.
“During Learning Disability Week 2025 which runs from June 16 – 22 we are pleased to be shining a light on this new support resource for our adult learning disability community.
“We come together to discuss a subject that touches us all at various stages in our lives, the loss of someone close to us. This can be a difficult subject to address. It may evoke discomfort, strong emotions, and even fear. However, it is an important conversation. Grief is a universal experience, and supporting one another is essential.
“This year’s theme for the awareness week is ‘Do you see me?’ and this phrase highlights the importance of recognising, acknowledging, and appreciating individuals with a learning disability. Being valued means that people with a learning disability are respected by others, and their views and feelings are listened to.
“It is important that we provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and we hope this new booklet and guidance document helps support everyone at a very difficult time. This tool is designed for everyone to refer back to over the years, including on anniversaries, as emotions and feelings will endure over time.”
The free booklet and accompanying guidance are available through the Northern Trust’s Community Learning Disability Teams in Carrickfergus, Ballymena, Magherafelt and Coleraine.
An online version can be accessed via:
Copies will also be stocked at Death Positive Libraries located in Cookstown, Magherafelt and Draperstown.
This initiative underscores the Trust’s commitment to inclusive care and emotional wellbeing, ensuring that people with learning disabilities are supported with dignity and understanding at one of life’s most difficult moments.
