On the 21st and 22nd May 2026, Tracy Davies and Tracey Swinburne delivered a pilot Specialist Palliative Counselling Training with thanks to a grant from Colchester Catalyst Charity.

The training is being developed to enhance the knowledge, confidence, and therapeutic skills of counsellors and psychotherapists working with individuals affected by life-limiting illness and end-of-life experiences. The pilot brought together counsellors and psychotherapists from a range of professional backgrounds to experience the training and to give constructive feedback to support any improvements for future courses.

Overall, the pilot showed clear value in strengthening specialist therapeutic capability and highlighted a need for dedicated palliative counselling training. Continued professional development in this area could further support counsellors and psychotherapists in delivering compassionate, skilled, and psychologically informed care to patients and families facing serious illness.