FDS Annual Report 2024/25

27 Bereavement Services Family Drug Support was initially started by people who had lost family members to drugs. Supporting people through bereavement continues to be a priority for Family Drug Support. It is difficult to find services capable of providing appropriate support to bereaved families. We currently provide bereavement support nationally 1 on 1 via video, telephone and in-person, as well a support group option in South Australia. Thebarton (Bereavement) Support Group The Bereavement Support Group has progressed beyond the pilot phase and is now fully integrated into the South Australia (SA) service provision framework. Attendance remains consistent, and the group provides a vital wraparound service for individuals who experience the death of their loved one while participating in an FDS support group or receiving any related FDS service, support or education. In addition, the group is gaining recognition beyond the organisation and the FDS community, with new participants attending who were previously unaware of FDS services. Feedback has been exceedingly positive and we estimate that in a year or two this model could be open to research and replication in this unique area of service provision, as SA has taken existing grief models of care and interwoven the FDS model within its structure. Staff responsible for facilitating and coordinating the group have further developed their professional skills and are actively exploring opportunities to expand this model to a national level. Planning is underway to expand the successful SA-based model to an Australia- wide online presence or state-based groups but we estimate this will take some time due to budget, resources and time restraints. For the 2025 to 2026, period, SA FDS will develop a Support Meeting Handbook – Grief and Loss as part of an innovative, integrated model building on the existing and successful FDS framework. This work will also involve a comprehensive review and update of the general Support Meeting Handbook, as well as consideration of linking this new work effectively with the SA Remembrance Ceremony, and the potential for this event to be closely aligned with the Bereavement Support Group, with a focus on fostering participant ownership and strengthening a sense of community. This work will be further supported by the development of a new Stepping Forward – Grief and Loss Journey information session, which will be prepared in the lead-up to the next Remembrance Ceremony scheduled for July 2026. Longer term plans include potential training and upskilling of volunteers and staff, with in house training covering the key areas of bereavement support for families.