The Jennifer Trust has received a letter asking for help in researching bereaved fathers' experiences. Could you help with this study?
Jon Mills writes:
I am studying for a PHD at The University of East Anglia under the Doctor of Social Work Programme. This is a part time course for professionally qualified social workers to undertake research and work towards a higher degree.
The focus of my research thesis will be interviews with bereaved fathers to explore their own personal experiences after the death of their child. The interviews will be structured in a minimal way to try to ensure that each father can tell his own story in his own way with as little influence from the researcher as possible. The long term aim of the research is to discover in more detail the specific experiences of bereaved fathers and to discover whether there is anything more that the caring professions can do to offer fathers specific support.
The research proposal has been passed by the university ethics committee and I will ensure that the research is carried out in as supportive and sensitive a way as possible. I am an experienced social worker who has worked in paediatric palliative care for 12 years, and have extensive experience of working with bereaved parents and children.
Jon lives in Shropshire and is happy to travel throughout the county, the West Midlands and Wales to meet with research participants.
There is also a leaflet available to potential research participants with relevant information.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Jon Mils on 07773 905 117 or e-mail .
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