Jacqueline Gunn is the founder and CEO of Workplace Bereavement Advocacy which launched in 2023. Jacqui is also the founder and chairperson of Talking about Loss, a bereavement charity set up in 2019 after the death of her father. Jacqui felt very isolated after her father’s funeral and wondered where she was to go to get support and be with like-minded people who knew what she was going through. Jacqui openly talks about her depression and how she felt if she didn’t do something positive, she would sink into a deeper dark depression. After heading back into work two days after losing her father, Jacqui still can remember how she felt driving back into work, the pressure and anxiety, even though she had a very supportive boss and work colleague. She soon found out this wasn’t the case for many bereaved people, thus making her determined to develop a programme to train people from organisations to become bereavement advocates. On the fourth-year anniversary for TAL Workplace Bereavement Advocacy was launched and has been very well received. Grief is a lonely place, and Jacqui is determined to change how we talk about grief, Jacqui says “one thing we all have in common is we will all lose someone we love; we need to break down these barriers “.

I set VCare24 up in 2017 as a secure ambulance service and crisis placements for vulnerable young people. VCare, over the years has developed a good working relationship with many trusts, CCG and Local Authorities delivering bespoke care to some of the most vulnerable. We now have a large experienced dedicated transport team working under our CQC registrations ensuring every patient is treated with the dignity they respect in times of crisis.

We have 5 Ofsted registered homes for Emotional behavioural Difficulties and one Learning disabilities home. I set up the company because I have a passion for helping people and wanted to give children a place where given the right inspiration, they can build foundations for a better future. I am very proud of the company and how far we have come and the commitment of the staff that have helped it get to where it is today.

Clare is an experienced qualified teacher, with a BA (Hons) QTS.  Having also worked for over 20 years as a dedicated Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, she holds a certificate in Advanced Educational Studies in The Teaching of Children with Special Educational Needs. 

Clare is currently embracing the role of lead trainer for WPBA, equipping adults with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding that enables them to address the unspoken need of bereaved colleagues, children and young people within their workplace, school or other setting. Drawing on her own personal and professional experience of adult and child bereavement, Clare is highly driven by the positive impact that the training has on so many individuals and organisations.  Beyond her role as a trainer, Clare enjoys regular early morning runs, exploring and visiting new places and spending time walking in the countryside with her energetic and much-loved Black Labrador.

Having been part of the VCare24 team for several years initially as an Administrator, I seized the opportunity to transition into a Training Instructor role, recognising it as the ideal career path for me. Making the move from VCare24 to join the training team at VCare Training Solutions has been incredibly rewarding, and I’ve never looked back since!

I’m excited about the prospect of supporting others in their respective roles, leveraging my knowledge and understanding. Our training team at VCare Training Solutions boasts a wealth of expertise and skills that can be tailored to suit your specific needs across our diverse range of courses.

I have dedicated over 14 years to education, qualifying as a teacher in 2008 with a specialism in Early Years. In 2013, I expanded my expertise by completing a qualification in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at the University of Manchester.

In 2023, after experiencing a difficult workplace situation following my own family bereavement, I discovered the great value of workplace bereavement support. This led me to join Workplace Bereavement as a trainer, where I also create resources, write blogs, and deliver training to organisations.

I am currently training in Therapeutic Play Skills at Chichester University, intending to offer specialised support for bereaved children. Beyond my role at Workplace Bereavement, I’m a proud wife and mum to two energetic boys. Our family also includes two lovable dogs, Daisy and Buddy, as well as some pet fish and stick insects that keep things lively at home! In my free time, I love heading to the seaside for fossil hunting adventures, taking long walks, and enjoying the simple joys of the outdoors.

I am delighted to announce that I am a Young Hearts Ambassador. Now since the heartbreak of losing Mum when I’d just turned 18, I’ve always felt that I wanted to use my experience to help other people who might find themselves in a similar situation and one thing I always remember is that during Mum’s illness, and particularly, you know, when she died, I wish I’d had people around me outside of my family, particularly at high school really, that I could just talk to and have them help me understand my feelings. So, in my role as a young hearts ambassador I’ll actually be going into schools and other child focused settings, to help train caregivers on how to give the best support and offer children a nurturing environment during what is one of the worst times of their lives. I hate the idea of any children grieving but I really hope that the work that we’re doing will help them in some way. So, yeah, I’m really pleased to be working with Young Hearts, and fingers crossed it’ll make a difference.