Linda Magistris, CEO and founder of bereavement charity The Good Grief Trust, has received the Prime Minister’s Point of Light award.
Every week day the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer who is making a positive change in their community with the Daily Point of Light award. The UK award was set up in partnership with the US Points of Light Foundation, which was established in 1990 by President George Bush.
Essentially, the award is a way for the Prime Minister to say ‘thank you’ for outstanding voluntary service and to inspire others to volunteer by shining a light on an individual’s exceptional work.
The award coincides with the launch of The Good Grief Trust’s inaugural Pop Up Grief Café initiative at Kings College Hospital in London, marking the first of a series of Pop Up Café’s around the UK which will drive awareness of bereavement services in local communities.
Linda established The Good Grief Trust because of the difficulties she suffered after losing her partner Graham Theakston to cancer in September 2014. She realised there was a lack of a central system of support across the UK for anyone who suffered a bereavement, whether that is a child, partner, parent, sibling or friend.
As a result, Linda set up The Good Grief Trust two years ago with a website that brings together all the UK’s bereavement services in one place. The charity also instigated the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on Bereavement Support, working with the government to influence change.
Commenting on Linda’s work, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“From a devastating personal tragedy you have created a tremendous force for good. The Good Grief Trust is providing vital resources for people experiencing bereavement, offering comfort, practical support and the knowledge that they are not alone.”
Linda said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award, it is a huge honour to be recognised and to have my work supported by the Prime Minister and 10 Downing Street. Grieving the death of someone you love is the most painful thing anyone can go through in their lives and I am driven to raise awareness of the need to acknowledge and fully understand the impact that grief has on our mental and physical health.
“I am passionate that we find those who need help and bring them together with others who can support them as quickly as possible, sharing our stories of loss with peers and creating new support networks across the country. Grief can be an incredibly isolating experience and my vision is that we normalise feelings of loss and offer help and hope in one place so those who are bereaved can find new happiness and a way forward with their lives.”
For more information visit The Good Grief Trust
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