The debate about digital and in person support is often framed as a choice between reach and relationship. Our experience at bereavement support charity AtaLoss suggests that the more useful question is how each can contribute what it does best.

We see hybrid support not as one delivery format, but as a principle running through our volunteer led peer group programme The Bereavement Journey, which is now in over 660 UK locations.

Expert films introduce each topic, followed by facilitated in person discussion. Leaders are trained in webinars for consistency of training and the films provide consistent professional content, allowing leaders to concentrate on listening, facilitating discussion and offering pastoral support.

Leaders therefore, do not need to be expert, but counsellor oversight is available, and participants are encouraged to identify a trusted person with whom they can speak after a session. Webinars also enable us to train volunteers across the UK and provide a choice of times.

Different voices and formats in the films also help sustain attention and participants can see contributors of varied ages, ethnicities and backgrounds discussing different bereavement circumstances. Hearing people speak openly on film can make difficult subjects easier to approach and the variety can help participants recognise their own experience.

Digital signposting

The first lesson is that digital resources can enable volunteers to deliver high-quality support, when there are clear boundaries and access to further help, and digital training can produce a scalable programme.

Digital signposting provides another layer. Participants are repeatedly introduced to our signposting platform, AtaLoss.org, during The Bereavement Journey® to search for services, information and specialist support to support their circumstances.

Prospective leaders can also experience The Bereavement Journey® by helping on our national online course, gaining confidence before leading locally. Some need to see a programme in practice before believing they can deliver it; others lack confidence with technology. Joining together as a local team can overcome anxiety.

Our national online programme three times a year, also complements local delivery.

Local courses can refer people when they are full, if their next programme is a wait, or if the bereavement circumstances of participants feel particularly difficult for a local group.

In turn, national delivery can make it easier to place participants with others whose circumstances are similar, strengthening peer support.

In addition, some people prefer online support. Attending an unfamiliar group can feel daunting, particularly when bereavement has affected energy and confidence.

An online group can feel more possible. Also, many people have caring responsibilities or work patterns that prevent them attending in person. Online provides flexibility of location, and accessibility for listening to the films while travelling home, then joining the discussion.

However, our online support requires particular attention to safeguarding. We ask participants to join from a private space and to keep their cameras on, helping to create a safe and confidential environment for their group, and the trusted friend is especially important.

Combining in person with online support

Furthermore, we have now begun running a purely hybrid national course, combining national online and local in person delivery at the same time.

Six online groups and two in person groups in a London church, access the same central introduction and films. This model combines consistent central content with relationships rooted in a local community. It also allows our central team to learn first-hand from in person delivery.

However, hybrid courses bring practical challenges. Aligning timings requires careful planning, and briefings for teams may not be the same. Good communication is essential, about attendance, withdrawals and anyone needing further support.

Technology can deliver expertise and extend access, but in person delivery offers better human connection, continuity and belonging.

The strongest model may not ask people to choose between digital and in person support but will integrate the two thoughtfully together.

Checklist

When looking at in person and digital support, charity leaders are recommended to ask themselves:

• Which elements of provision require professional expertise, and what can be
• provided by trained volunteers?
• Where can digital delivery improve reach, choice and consistency?
• Where are relationships and physical presence most valuable?
• How can people move between online, local and specialist support?
• What training, safeguarding and communication will hold the model together?
• How can each form of delivery complement the other?

Yvonne Tulloch is founder and chief executive of bereavement support charity AtaLoss.

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