Cornwall Hospice Care is a 24/7 Cornish healthcare charity that provides specialist support for people with terminal illnesses. Volunteers bring a breadth of experience, skill and ability and are integral to the care offered at the hospices and in the community.
As a Community Services Bereavement Support Volunteer you will be helping with our Walk Talk Kernow and The Bereavement Help Points which both offer support to those who are isolated and vulnerable in our communities who have experienced the death of a loved one. Although not a counselling service, we offer information, support and signposting.
- Walk Talk Kernow is a walking group, providing a space for those who are recently bereaved and seeking social connections with others who are also experiencing grief. Groups are usually held fortnightly in various locations across the county.
- Our Bereavement Help Points are monthly sessions with refreshments in venues across the county for those seeking support, information and signposting. This could involve 1-2-1 or group conversations.
Community Services Bereavement Support Volunteer
The role of bereavement support volunteer is to ensure that every client has a supportive, positive experience. Volunteers play a vital role in helping clients feel listened to and cared for.
There are number of specific responsibilities within the volunteer role. These may vary in relation to the needs of each client.
Community Support Bereavement Support Volunteer Key responsibilities:
- Leading conversations.
- Offering supportive information and signposting where required.
- Adhering to appropriate boundaries and our safeguarding policy.
- Source suitable venues.
- Promoting services in the volunteer’s locality.
- Complete and return any required documentation to the Community Services office.
- Attend optional monthly on-line supervision.
Volunteer Commitment:
Any time between the hours of 10.00am and 2.00pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Volunteers will be asked to attend any meetings or training sessions where appropriate.
Volunteer skills and qualities:
- Enjoy walking in all weathers (for the walking groups).
- Be able to listen and empathise.
- Sensitive to the needs of the client.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Courteous, friendly and affable.
- Possess good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Be able to cope with emotional conversations.
- Enjoy talking and dealing with a variety of people.
- Be able to work effectively in a team.
- Have an excellent understanding of confidentiality.
- Ability to use internet search engines.
- Have a good understanding of personal and professional boundaries.
- Sense of humour.
- Commitment to the ethos of Cornwall Hospice Care.
Induction and Training
All new volunteers are asked to attend an induction session which covers topics including the code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, fire evacuation procedures, infection prevention and control measures as well as other relevant Hospice information.
Volunteers will be asked to complete some mandatory training to keep up to date with organisational and legal regulation changes.
We hope each volunteer maintains regular contact with the Community Services team and takes responsibility for communication regarding their role and responsibilities.
What you can expect from Cornwall Hospice Care
- To be valued and respected
- To receive appropriate induction and training
- To have adequate support and supervision
- To have a safe working environment
- To be reimbursed for reasonable out of pocket expenses
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references
This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at Standard Level. Volunteers will also be required to provide 2 references and attend a first conversation with members of the Community Services team.
