Bereavement Support Group counsellor/trainee counsellor Volunteer

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care (RGP) vision

We will support people of all ages who are affected by a progressive life-limiting illness, and those who care for them, to live as well as possible by providing choice and ease of access to a wide range of palliative care and bereavement services across west Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Purpose of this role

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is committed to supporting people in our local community who are struggling to cope after a bereavement. Specialist bereavement counselling can be offered face to face after a period of time has elapsed, but often people need a listening ear and support during the early stages of the grieving process. For those people we offer a weekly drop-in group called “Becoming bereaved”. This group is facilitated by a qualified or trainee counsellor and supported by a volunteer listener. It is not a counselling or therapy session, but a safe space for people to explore their grief.

Anyone who is recently bereaved, or feels they are struggling with the early stages of grief is welcome to drop-in to this group session. There is no commitment from the participants, but we will be helping them to move out of the group within a year of their bereavement.

Main tasks

The qualified or trainee counsellor will:

·        facilitate a safe space for people to talk freely about their grief, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be heard

·        manage the group dynamics to ensure that boundaries are maintained

·        work with the volunteer listener to signpost to other sources of support, such as the RGP counselling service, Compassionate Cafes or other relevant services provided by RGP or by other organisations

·        report any safeguarding concerns to one of our staff counsellors

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a trainee or qualified volunteer counsellor to help with this group every other week.

The trainee or qualified counsellor should:

·        have experience of group work

·        be able to manage group dynamics to ensure that everyone is heard, and that boundaries are maintained.

·        be able to make sure that safeguarding information is appropriately managed.

·        have an understanding that grief is different for everyone, and each person needs a safe space to explore their own feelings.

Both the counsellor and listener should:

·        be a good listener with a desire to help others 

·        be a compassionate and empathic person who is able to offer support in a sensitive, non-judgemental way

·        ideally have experience of working with vulnerable people, but full training will be offered

·        be reliable, trustworthy and flexible 

·        be able to understand and commit to the boundaries of the role and the values of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care 

Training and support

·        there will be a named line manager who will provide ongoing support

·        there will be a one-day training course that you will need to complete before starting your volunteering. There will be some other mandatory training that you will need to complete at the start of your volunteering with us and then periodically afterwards as refresher training which will include data security and confidentiality

·        your line manager will organise training specific to your role

·       we provide monthly supervision for an hour and a half, to allow you to share your experiences and get support from other volunteers and our trained supervisor

What you need to know

·        you will complete a volunteer application form and we will ask for one reference from someone who knows you well.

·        you will need to complete a Standard Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check for the adult workforce for this role. 

·        as a charity supporting people who are vulnerable, we encourage all volunteers with patient and client contact to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19

·        patient facing volunteers will have access to supervision support from line managers

·        client support and your own supervision may be given virtually. You will be expected to follow our Virtual Visit and Virtual Groups policy and your line manager will go through this with you

·        we welcome everyone and will make reasonable adjustments should they be needed

·        we will pay reasonable expenses incurred, should you wish to claim them

·        we rely on the commitment of our volunteers to support our services, however we understand that you may need to take a break from your volunteering. When you are ready to return, your line manager will meet with you to talk about the role and make sure it is still right for you and may ask you to complete some refresher training.

To protect both patients and volunteers, you MUST NOT:

·        give clinical advice or medication

·        counsel clients

·        give out personal contact details

·        witness any legal documentation for the patient or their carer