A collaborative project
Supporting Loss is a collaboration between the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath; Turning Point; and Birkbeck, University of London. The project ran from May 2025 to April 2026. It was funded by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council, Ref ES/X004651/1).
The aim of the project is to develop an online Toolkit that can help people bereaved by an alcohol, other drug or gambling related death when the death is referred to a coroner in England and Wales. The Toolkit can also help a wide range of practitioners to better understand the coroner service and support bereaved people.
Project history
Supporting Loss follows on from and is informed by two previous projects: ‘Bereavement through substance use’ and ‘Voicing Loss’.
Bereavement through substance use
This project was completed by a team from the Universities of Bath and Stirling, with ESRC funding (Economic and Social Research Council, ES/J007366/1). It involved interviews and discussions with over 100 adults bereaved by substance use and a large number if practitioners. It produced good practice guidance for those who come into contact with people bereaved following an alcohol or other drug-related death.
Voicing Loss
This was an ESRC-funded project conducted by Birkbeck and the University of Bath. (Ref ES/V002732/1). The researchers interviewed a large number of bereaved people, practitioners and professionals about their experiences of the coroner service. Interviewees included people bereaved by alcohol, other drug and gambling related deaths.
The Supporting Loss Team
Kate Woodthorpe
Professor of Sociology | Centre for Death and Society | University of Bath
Lorna Templeton
Professor of Sociology | Centre for Death and Society | University of Bath
Jan Larkin
Head of Psychology and Psychotherapy | Turning Point
Sophie France
Assistant Psychologist | Turning Point
Natalie Travers
National Head of Service | Public Health & Substance Use | Turning Point
Daniel Donkor
Consultant Clinical Psychologist | Turning Point
Jessica Jacobson
Professor of Criminal Justice | Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research | Birkbeck | University of London
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Bereaved people from Turning Point & elsewhere; and practitioners from across Turning Point who attended a Knowledge Exchange event to discuss the content and style of the Toolkit; TP colleagues eg Matt Miles, Devis/Jack/Tom (digital team), marketing; Tyla Scott-Owen, illustrations; Jo Lloyd/Bevan Brittan.
