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My Plea:
I care for families at the worst time of their lives. This is when the one thing that should never happen, happens: their child dies. I am the Bereavement Care Coordinator at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and I am the person who sees families of children in road traffic accidents when life is taken with no warning. I care for families when life has changed forever with long periods in hospital sadly ending in the death of their child, such as children with cancer, or I see families with tiny babies too fragile to grow.
About 150 times each year I meet a new family with broken hearts and unbearable grief. It is an honour to stand alongside them and walk them through those first few months helping in any way I can. How can anyone help when the pain is so intense? The support I offer comes from the experience I have with letting families grieve, gently guiding them with practical arrangements all while recognising the uniqueness of their little one.
I have created beautiful, kind spaces in the hospital where families can be with their child, no machines, no telephones, just peaceful rooms where grief can happen in private. Families might want to bring in clothes, their own duvets and toys. That’s okay – it’s the way it should be. Most importantly they will want time and space to be with their child, bringing brothers and sisters, nannies and granddads. Sometimes even a pet. I will perhaps take a lock of hair, hand and footprints and photographs. These are precious memories for families who often are too traumatised to remember those first few days.
This is a tragic time and anything I can do to soothe a family or offer comfort is incredibly important.
I will often carry on seeing and speaking to families for many months after their child’s death, others go back to their day to day lives, regardless the families’ pain continues and needs to be recognised. It is a pleasure to see families year after year at our memorial services where I continue to recognise and honour their loss.
I feel very privileged to be in a position where I can try and make a difference to a family going through the unimaginable. It truly is the best job in the world.
What Others Have Said
“Following Billy’s death I phoned her more times than I can remember. She organised for me to spend some precious time with Billy following his death, memories my husband and I will have for a lifetime. The days when it was too hard for me to go and see Billy, she went and checked on him for me and rang me back to reassure me that he was ok.Those few days following the death of Billy were like a nightmare, a complete blur, but Tracey was there to be my voice, to hold my hand and to guide me.
https://youtu.be/PvTqsNuCPdQ
Tracey is a wonderful caring and compassionate person whom I have known through working at Birmingham Children hospital for nan years and she thoroughly deserves every recognition for the wonderful work she does
An amazing lady, quietly going about helping people in their darkest hours.
One of the kindest, caring ladies I’ve ever met x
Tracey is a wonderful caring person who goes above and beyond I couldn’t think of anyone who deserves the award more than her
Beautiful lady ….it’s said that angels come in many deguises Tracey you are a angels you are beautiful inside and out you deserve this award ?
my sister tracey is the most kind hearted person I know she will do everything she can to help anyone in need of help she is always there for friends and family to listen and advise about any problems you may have the work she does at the children’s bereavement is absolutely fantastic I cant think of anybody who deserves this award more than tracey.
What an inspirational lady Tracey Harewood is. Unimaginable what these poor families go through. So to have this caring wonderful woman around at such a heartbreaking time must be so comforting.
Tracey is a truly inspirational person who devotes her time to helping others at desperate times of need. Thank god we have NHS workers like Tracey who help people in awful situations start to live again after a tragic loss.
What would I have done without you ? we will never ever forget you Tracey and what you did for us ?
I have known Tracey for many years, after working on PICU together. She is such a caring and lovely lady. She is full of compassion and deserving of this award. Everyone that has ever met her will be touched by her kindness. The families at Birmingham Children’s Hospital are given very supportive care by Tracey at very difficult times in their lives.
An amazing caring and compassionate lady who I had the pleasure of working with for a while. She thourougly deserves this award
My cousin Tracey. She is a superstar.she has battled with her own demons but is always there to help. Love you cuz xx
I work with Tracey daily, she is a pleasure to work with and watching her work with families in the most devastating situations is inspiring. Our families are the heart of everything that Tracey does
Tracey holds the children and families in her heart and mind greatly in her work. Her compassion and kindness is deeply felt.
You deserve this award Tracey – you are brilliant at what you do and a joy to work with no matter what the circumstances 🙂
Tracey is caring and supportive to families and staff she works with. Showing sympathy and empathy to all concerned during very upsetting and difficult times. Tracey you do a fantastic job.
Tracey is a very kind , compassionate lady. She supports families at the most difficult and desperate times. I have personally seen her go out of her way to support and care for the families. Tracey you are a true inspiration for us all. You thoroughly deserve this award and I wish you all the very best
Tracey is one of the most passionate people I know. I had the pleasure of working with Tracey for 3 years. A well deserved nominees. She puts the families at the heart of all she does.
Tracey you are brilliant at what you do, and you really do deserve this nomination,because you are an inspiration. xx
I have known Tracey for a number of years. She is very dedicated to her service, families and the staff involved.
She deserves this recognition.
What a amazing lady!!!
It is amazing how Tracey quietly goes about her work; never seeking recognition for the amazing things that she does. Her commitment to, and compassion for, families is inspiring.
Tracey is an amazing lady who is dedicated to her job and the families she cares for. I have known Tracey for many years having worked with her on PICU. I can’t think of anyone more devoted to helping families than Tracey, she deserves this.
My little sister Tracey is inspirational to me. She does an amazing job even though she has her own battles to fight. If I need anything she’s always there for me and I can’t put into words how much I think she deserves this award. Love you sis xxx
Tracey deserves to win this, I worked with her for years and her empathy and kindness is endless.
Absolutely fantastic lady !!! Xxx
There’s not enough positive adjectives in the dictionary to describe Tracey! She is one of the kindest, most caring, considerate human beings to walk this planet. Her empathy for others is truly remarkable. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this award!
Such an amazing lady x
My aunty Tracey is an amazing woman who I look up to and admire. She is completely selfless, always putting the needs of others before her own. She has battled her own illness whilst still caring for others around her. She totally deserves this recognition – she is a living angel.
It takes a special person to help other people who are in so much distress and sadness . My sister Tracy is that special person and has been for many years. Tracy has battled illness but has still been there to support many families who have lost their little ones and haven’t known which way to turn. Thank god for my sister, you truly deserve this award xx
I don’t know Tracey personally but from what I have seen in her as a Breavement worker at Birmingham Womens and Children’s Hospital, I believe Tracey has the capability and is very enthusiastic at what she does. She is a very helpful individual who will go that extra mile to help anyone. I believe Tracey deserves the recognition.
I wish every hospital had a Tracey