Bereavement Hub Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to help facilitate the hospice's monthly bereavement group which supports local people who have been bereaved.
What will I be doing?
As a Bereavement Hub volunteer, you will offer a safe space for bereaved people to share and explore their thoughts, feelings and emotions around grief and bereavement. You will help to raise awareness of the process of bereavement whilst encouraging group members to gain support from each other. You will help to signpost to other organisations for support where needed.
What skills and experience will I need?
- Excellent listening skills
- Empathy and openness to understanding the individuals' needs
- Ability to follow guidance and be aware of the boundaries of the role
- Show patience, non-judgement and emotional resilience
- Good time keeping skills
- To recognise and to refer into the supportive listening service if the individual's needs exceed that of your role
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and data protection
- Awareness of procedures for safeguarding adults
Training will be provided to help develop some of the skills you need mentioned above.
What training will I receive?
As a Bereavement Hub volunteer, you will receive a full induction package with ongoing training opportunities, ongoing support from the Bereavement Support Coordinator, including reflection/prep sessions.
How often will I be volunteering?
The programme runs over 6 months and then repeats after a break. Each session will be approximately 2 hours long.
What Support will I get?
You will receive ongoing training to support you in your role. You will also receive ongoing support from the Bereavement Support Coordinators and have annual individual supervision. You will also be able to attend monthly group supervision as well with other supportive listening volunteers.
Why should I volunteer for The Mary Stevens Hospice?
Becoming a Bereavement Hub volunteer is a fulfilling and impactful opportunity. You will play a crucial role in supporting our mission to provide essential care, compassion and kindness to individuals and families living with life-limiting illnesses. By dedicating your time and skills you will be supporting people through their bereavement journeys.
Other benefits of Volunteering?
Not only will you be part of the wonderful Bereavement Hub volunteer team, you will also become a valued member of the wider Hospice volunteers. You will have the opportunity to join in with socials, celebration events, come along to drop - in sessions to ask questions, share feedback about your volunteering experience, gain long service awards and make meaningful connections along the way.
Other things to note:
We are committed to the wellbeing of our volunteers. If you have recently experienced a bereavement, we kindly ask you to wait two years before volunteering with us within this role. Whilst we appreciate that everyone's bereavement journey is individual, we have a duty of care to both our volunteers and our service users, therefore, we are unable to progress any application that falls into this category at this time.
Due to the nature of this role and the hospice environment, please note that we can only accept applications for this role if you are 18 years or older. Thank you for your understanding.
You will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
To become a Bereavement Hub Volunteer please complete the volunteer application form on the right-hand side under 'I would like to volunteer.'
If you have any questions about the role or need a different format to complete the application form, please email volunteer@marystevenshospice.co.uk or call 01384 443 010 and ask to speak to the volunteer team.
