TRAINING & SUPERVISION

• A comprehensive induction programme which will include topics such as: an overview of St Helena Services, the role of Bereavement Volunteers, confidentiality, listening and communication skills, boundaries, endings, equality, diversity and inclusion, lone working, safeguarding, and self-care.
• Monthly supervision and support meetings.
• Ongoing training opportunities as identified during the role.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Good listening skills
• Ability to empower and support individuals
• Ability to recognise risks to vulnerable individuals
• Strong self-awareness with the ability to recognise and manage own personal issues and/or grief
• Ability to reflect on practice and engage in supervision to improve self-awareness and provide support to colleagues
• Awareness of different grief models
• Understands the importance of maintaining personal and professional boundaries
• Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality and data protection at all times

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to work independently, seeking guidance and support when needed
• A team player with a friendly, compassionate, and empathetic approach
• Proactive and able to take initiative
• Reliable, trustworthy, punctual and flexible
• Highly organised
• Respectful of others’ differences and choices
• A good sense of humour
• Passionate about St Helena and the services that St Helena provides
• Access to a vehicle or reliable public transport option
  Job Type: Volunteer
  Work Location: In perso

ROLE SUMMARY

This role will provide compassionate bereavement support to adults (18 and over) through telephone calls, home visits, or other mutually agreed locations, as well as at designated grief support groups. You will offer listening and emotional support to individuals experiencing loss, addressing a wide range of circumstances including expected deaths, sudden loss, suicide, trauma, and neonatal or baby deaths.

MAIN DUTIES OF THIS ROLE:

• You will support at least three bereaved individuals on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis, depending on need.
• You will support at designated grief support groups on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis, depending on need.
• You will maintain personal and professional boundaries and provide support within the limitations of your role.
• You will maintain a record of all scheduled and completed contacts and activities and forward them to the bereavement administrator to input into the electronic records system.
• You will attend and actively participate in monthly supervision and support meetings.
• You will maintain a safe working environment in line with St Helena policies and procedures.
• You will ensure confidentiality and data protection are maintained at all times.
• As a bereavement volunteer you will be working with vulnerable adults, so an enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
• You must be able to travel to visit bereaved individuals at home in Northeast Essex, using either personal or public transport.
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with agreed guidelines.
• Full training and support will be provided in exchange for a 12 month commitment to the service.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ROLE

You are NOT expected to carry out the following activities:

• Counselling
• Additional tasks that deviate from the expected role. Any such instances should be escalated to the bereavement team.