The role of a Bereavement Support Worker is to support clients who have suffered a bereavement. The support can be provided at the hospice, within the client’s home, via telephone, or virtually.

“Having witnessed first-hand a family loss at Sobell House Hospice, I felt inspired to put myself forward to help others. Becoming a Bereavement Support Worker has been an empowering experience – the feeling of helping others is truly immense, and I’ve learnt new skills through the training and by working alongside other volunteers with lots of experience.

I’m glad to have pushed myself out of my comfort zone – through doing so I’ve made new friends, learnt how to listen well, and feel like I’ve made a huge difference. It’s a privilege to support people going through tough times.”

Dave Robinson

Skills required

• Able to communicate effectively and sensitively.
• Excellent listening skills.
• To be warm, empathic, courteous, and approachable
• To be comfortable in supporting other people’s expression of grief and distress
• Committed to working in a supportive and professional manner with, and on behalf of, the Hospices.
• Self-motivated and willing to learn and develop.
• Able to contribute positively in a group situation.
• Reliable in keeping commitments to clients and the service
• A clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality

Volunteering duties

• Maintain regular and reliable contact with clients through visits, phone calls or video contact.
• Allow clients to talk about their feelings and the effect of their loss.
• Offer information about grief and common experiences associated with it.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries with clients.
• Email a report of each client contact to the Bereavement Service using password protection to ensure confidentiality is maintained.
• Log each activity on the SMI database.
• Attend monthly supervision sessions.
• Attend group Bereavement Service training/meeting sessions whenever possible (8 per year).
• Participate in an annual individual review and reflection meeting.

Training

• Foundation level training (approx. 60 hours)
• Virtual training – The Volunteer Learning Passport (VLP) which includes roles and responsibilities, Health and Safety and infection control, Fire safety, Safeguarding, moving and assisting, resuscitation, mental health awareness, preventing radicalisation, equality, communication, conflict resolution (approx. 8 hours).
• Ongoing training
• Other relevant training may be offered.

Sobell House Hospice Charity is a proud member of OCVA.