Volunteer Bereavement Support

Job Introduction

** VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY **

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT VOLUNTEER

As a Bereavement Volunteer with Age Well East, you will play an important role in supporting individuals who have experienced bereavement. 

Your primary responsibility will be to provide compassionate, one-to-one support through weekly telephone calls, helping those who are navigating their grief journey. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Listen actively and with empathy, offering a warm and caring presence.
• Encourage clients to express their grief without the fear of judgment.
• Respect the pace and individual needs of the client, responding with sensitivity. 
• Signpost clients to other available support services when needed (information will be provided).

Ideal Volunteer Attributes:

• Excellent listening skills.
• A warm, compassionate and caring approach.
• Capable of holding a range of emotions associated with loss.
• Friendly, adaptable and supportive.
• Open-minded of diverse lifestyles and values.

Desired Skills & Experience: 

We do not require specific qualifications, but this opportunity could suit someone who has experience of, or training in, mental health and wellbeing support; counselling; psychotherapy; helpline support; social work; healthcare or more general support work.  It would also suit someone with lived experience of dealing with grief who would like to give back to their community.

The volunteer will need an understanding of the limits of this role (bereavement support is not counselling).

What we will offer you:

• A nominated coordinator to support you throughout your volunteering journey.
• Monthly volunteer peer group supervision.
• Bereavement support training, safeguarding level 2 and lone working training.

An enhanced DBS disclosure is a requirement for this role. Our onboarding checks, induction, and ongoing support and supervision reflect our commitment to safeguarding our clients. Age Well East strives to be equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Candidates must be able to evidence their right to work in the UK.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible.