Recently our incredible PSGC Counsellor Karen Tracey retired after 17 years of service at Edward’s Trust.
We were delighted to welcome Karen back in 2008 into the newly created role of Parents Supporting Grieving Children (PSGC) Counsellor. She stepped into this pioneering post with professionalism, compassion, and empathy – quickly shaping the work into a vital part of our service. The Children’s Team had identified a gap in our support offer, and we remain grateful to them and to Christine Bodkin (then CEO) for making this important role possible.
From counselling sessions to coffee mornings, social activities to therapeutic groups, Karen has done a bit of everything – and done it beautifully. She’s always been ready to lend a hand around the office, supporting colleagues and clients alike with kindness and care.
To her colleagues, Karen has been not just a valued team member but also a dear friend. Her warmth, humour, and laughter have filled the office with joy, and she will be greatly missed.
To mark the occasion, Karen wrote a few lines to share:
“During my time at Edwards Trust, I have had the opportunity to work with both Young People and Adults. Both are equally sad and sometimes challenging, but when you have your planned ending and you see the changes within the client, how they are managing their grief and their lives better, I feel that it is equally rewarding for both me and the client.
I have deep respect and admiration for all of the lovely clients I have met and worked with over the last seventeen years. To come through our doors at Edwards Trust for the first time must be so daunting and anxiety provoking, but that brave first step is their first step towards them moving forward and healing. I have loved working with them every one of them, be it in a one-to-one setting or one of the groups I’ve held at Fircroft College.
My fellow counsellors and colleagues have all been an absolute pleasure to work with and I value your friendship. Thank you for all of the kindness and support you have shown to me over the years, and for the laughs of which there were many.
While I am feeling very sad to be leaving Edwards Trust, I do believe that everything has a natural end and it is my time to start my retirement.”
Thank you for all Karen, and all the best in your new chapter!
