Meet the Team
Tracey McAtamney
Founder
Tracey@survivingbereavement.com
On 28th June 2004, Tracey and her son’s lives were turned upside down when her husband Tony, died suddenly whilst playing golf for the Law Society in Spain. At the time Anthony was 15 and Oliver just 7 years old.
In 2018, Tracey put pen to paper and became the Author of Hidden Strength, she talks about her grief, her fear for the future and the knowledge that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how bad a situation may be. All profits from the book provided Memory Boxes for children and young adults coping with loss.
In 2019, Tracey founded Surviving Bereavement, to help provide support for those bereaved, feeling isolated and alone. Surviving Bereavements signposts not only emotional support but also legal and financial. It provides Pop Up Bereavement Cafes across Warwickshire & West Midlands, Presentations for Bereavement in the Workplace and free Memory Boxes for children and young adults.
Tracey is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Director of Ladies First Professional Development Ltd, Inspirational Speaker, Author of Hidden Strength and Co-author of Inspirational Women, Inspiration Lives. Tracey is passionate about helping children with loss and is a mental health first aider. Tracey provides presentations on Bereavement in the Workplace and Coping with Bereavement. Tracey was awarded the Platinum Champions Award for her outstanding contribution as a volunteer in the year of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Anne
Anne Cawley Commercial Director Jamieson Christie Wealth Management.
Through both personal experience and that of our clients, I understand that the death of someone dear to you is traumatic. At such a difficult time it can be overwhelming to discover just how many practical arrangements there are to take care of, at a time when you may want to just hide yourself away and do nothing. For others, the feeling of having to do something, to keep busy means putting additional pressure upon themselves at a time when they may already be feeling so low. Generally in a relationship, whether that be as a couple, a partnership or a family unit, someone takes the lead role for a particular task and we frequently find that this is the case when it comes to finances. Many people have never personally had to deal with the financial arrangements, someone else has always dealt with it. But when that person is no longer there, the feeling of having to understand everything their loved one learned over many years can be completely overwhelming. Financially this may now mean that they and / or their families will have to contend with significant changes to their overall financial situation and security.
Following decades of guiding those recently bereaved through the emotional and practical maze of matters, our experience helps to support and prioritise in the short term. Then, when the time is right we can help to review and plan your financial future.
There is plenty of help and guidance available now through organisations and the internet, but we are often told by our clients that this can be too overwhelming at times and that applying it to their own personal circumstances can be difficult. The most frequent feedback we receive is to say that by making clear what needs to be done now and what can be left for another day, by guiding them through the process of change and allowing them to concentrate on their future and that of their families, has been the most valuable help.
If you know someone who has recently lost someone dear to them, who may be struggling with financial matters, then why not get in touch with us. We will provide an initial, no cost, no obligation discussion. If nothing else, it may simply clarify any tasks that should be taken care of and, if relevant, re-assurance may be given to take just one concern away at such as stressful time.
Corrine
corrine@survivingbereavement.com
My name is Corrine Seabourne and I am a Chartered Legal Executive specialising in Private Client work. This includes the drafting of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorneys for Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare, Trusts and the Administration of Estates when a person passes away with or without a Will. I joined Alsters Kelley Solicitors in 2006 from the Court Service and began practising in this area in 2008. Whilst working full time, I studied part time and became a Fellow of the Chartered Institutes of Legal Executives in 2018.
When I see clients, it can sometimes be at the most difficult times in their lives. For some people preparing a Will can give a sense of impending doom or be very daunting, especially where family situations may not be straight forward. I take pride in guiding clients through the process and listening to them and their needs, providing support when required. Many clients comment at the end of a meeting that the process was much simpler than they had anticipated!
When a family member passes away it can be an extremely difficult time for the family. The family can be thrown into turmoil, not knowing which way to turn. I ease that stress by assisting families with the legalities surrounding the administration of estates. I understand that a person has just lost a loved one and must grieve. By taking a calm and supportive approach, I help clients through the process and allow them to have the time to grieve whilst their legal matters are taken care of.
Having spent 15 years in the Army Reserves and growing up the second eldest of a family of eight, I have a lot of experience in dealing with a wide range of personalities and situations and I feel proud to be using my skills to help people from all walks of life at what can be difficult times.
Oliver
oliver@survivingbereavement.com
Associate Chartered Accountant with RSM UK
Oliver joined RSM UK in 2019 and specialises in providing restructuring advice to corporates and pension schemes, with experience in a range of sectors including charities, retail and technology.
Outside of work Oliver enjoys, scuba diving, skiing, running and watching football.
Our Ambassadors
Shelley
Shelley Wilson is an author, blogger, and writing mentor, helping her clients to share their stories through the written word. She has published eighteen books across multiple genres, including self-help, children’s meditation, and young adult fiction. Her creative writing classes, workshops, and online courses are designed to help new writers find their voice, build confidence, and feel inspired to write. Shelley is a single mum to three grown-up children and loves travelling solo in her VW camper called Snoopy.
Colleen Fletcher MP
Colleen is the Member of Parliament for Coventry North East. She was first elected as MP for the constituency in May 2015 and is the first woman ever to represent the seat.
Colleen is also a Senior Opposition Whip and a member of the House of Commons Administration Committee.
Prior to entering Parliament, Colleen represented both Wyken and Upper Stoke wards in Coventry North East as a Councillor.
Colleen was born and raised in the constituency that she now represents. It is where she raised her two sons and lived with her late husband, Ian.
Kate
Kate Wragg has been working as a primary school teacher for over 20 years. She also volunteers as a chaplain in a local hospice. She finds it a privilege to be with patients and their families at such a difficult time in their life, offering support and a listening ear.
Kate is also involved at the pop up café that meets in central Solihull. She knows there is such a need for people to meet with others who have experienced loss so they can share their experiences and support one another. The café meets once a month on a Friday and those who come will be made to feel very welcome.
Lauren
Lauren is a registered general nurse for 14 years, 10 of those years spent working ICU dealing with the most traumatic and complicated of patients who need life support.
Part of her role in ICU is being the end-of-life link nurse. She supports the families of those patients who are dying, walks them through and supports them and the patient during the process.
She lives in Cornwall with her husband and three lovely children a boy and two girls. She loves having adventures on the beach and walking through the countryside with her two dogs.
May
May Parsons is a Filipino-British nurse working within the NHS since 2003. May Parsons has come to worldwide fame when she delivered the first Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials to Margaret Keenan last December 2020 in Coventry. May’s hard work, determination and vaccination advocacy for patient and staff safety has earned her this privileged historic role in the global fight against the pandemic. May’s passion for nursing and advocacy for equality is prominent through her work as a Regional Director for Filipino Nurses Association UK.