RED ARC services are delivered through qualified nurses. When an employee (or a family member) contacts RED ARC, they'll be allocated their own personal nurse adviser who's experienced in bereavement care. People often find it helpful to talk to a professional nurse - someone who understands what they're going through but who isn't directly involved.
Their nurse adviser can give details of support groups or specialist charities and arrange therapy or bereavement counselling. Or they can just listen. The service includes a course of therapy or counselling up to the value of £330 and the personal nurse adviser will stay in touch for as long as they're needed.
'You don't know the relief it is to be able to talk to someone - I feel like I'm going mad some days. Thanks for listening and giving me so much reassurance - I'm really not coping and it's good to know that you're there. It will be such a relief to see a counsellor.' Emma, who called RED ARC after suddenly losing her mum in an accident.
Help for HR, line managers and colleagues
We recognise that HR and line managers might also need some help - it's unlikely that they've ever been in this situation before. They can speak to a RED ARC personal nurse adviser for information about the effects of bereavement, and support in dealing sensitively with those affected by it. The service can even be extended to an employee's colleagues, who may be upset or in shock.
It's entirely up to each individual employee or family member to decide if they want to use the service. RED ARC won't contact any individual direct without written permission. And, of course, the service is completely confidential.
RED ARC's number is 01273 716 700 and the nurses are available Monday to Friday during normal business hours.
To see examples of how RED ARC can help, take a look at the case studies.