A weekly newspaper is calling on the government to do more for bereaved families in a new campaign.

The Hunts Post is launching a series of “hard-hitting” campaigns called ‘We Need To Talk…’, with grief being the first subject to be examined.

The Huntingdon-based Post says the campaign aims to “bring grief out of the shadows and get people talking”, but the Archant weekly is also lobbying the government to commission a review into current provision of bereavement services across the country.

The paper’s journalists have spoken to people about their own experiences of grief to launch the campaign and has also produced a podcast on the issue.

From left: Post reporter Clare Butler, editor Debbie Davies and reporter Alex Collett

Editor Debbie Davies told HTFP: “Health care charity Sue Ryder says it will take ‘nothing short of a cultural revolution’ to address society’s reluctance to deal with death and dying.”

She added: “Encouraging people to talk about grief, and ensuring they have the means and support to do that is even more critical now due to some of the social restrictions put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Many of those who have lost loved ones during this pandemic have reported feeling ‘forgotten about’ and some believe death from Covid-19 has become a statistic on a graph rather than being recognised as a devastating, life-changing event for those who are grieving.

“Many health professionals fear there could be long-lasting mental health issues for some who have been unable to provide comfort to a loved one dying from Covid.

“With that in mind, we say, society must be equipped to support anyone who needs bereavement support now or at some point in the future.”