Bereavement Support Peer Group Volunteer

Tower House are seeking volunteers to run a fortnightly group to support local older people struggling with grief.   Volunteers are essential to provide the comfortable and safe space, to maintain the purpose of the group, provide light refreshments and listen to and empathise with group members.  Volunteers are asked to provide those who wish to share their personal experiences with opportunities to do so, relate the ‘taught’ material from the accompanying course to the group members, provide comfort if someone is upset, notice and raise any concerns, share information about other services, foster compassion and gently explore the pathways through grief.

Benefits

• Full Induction and Training (including e-learning as appropriate)

• Reimbursement of travel/parking fares, free parking on site, free refreshments

• Volunteer as part of a caring, friendly and welcoming team of over 20 people.

Practical Considerations

• Buses 5/5a to Varndean Road
• Trains: Preston Park Station
• Commitment is 2 hours per fortnight
• Timings and days of groups to be decided
• Work in a unique Grade 2 listed building, fully accessible with coffee shop, on site charity shop and other facilities.

Support Disabled

Policies and procedures that support those with additional needs and/or disabilities to volunteer.

What skills do I need?

• Great listening and interpersonal skills with patience
• Empathy to appreciate the experiences of others with self awareness and emotional intelligence
• Experience (paid or unpaid) of supporting older people
• Excellent spoken English, with ability to share information clearly
• Able to work alongside another volunteer together to run the group and be responsible for it
• Understand equality and basic group dynamics
• Be reliable and able to commit for 6 months fortnightly
• Able, with another person, to lead a small group session
• An understanding of how to offer comfort to an upset person within professional boundaries
• Able to notice and raise a concern if worried about a participant.