Visitors

Our bereavement visitors are all volunteers whose role is to support people affected by death. We have two visiting schemes, one for bereaved adults and one for children and young people aged between 5 and 18.

Who can volunteer as a bereavement visitor?
Anyone can apply as a bereavement visitor, but you will need to be sponsored by a professional group or individual*.Ā  You do not need to have any qualifications or previous experience, although you do need to care about people, have good listening skills and time to offer.Ā  You will be given all the training and support you need.Ā  We welcome men and women of all ages (18+), faiths, cultures and backgrounds.

* e.g. College, Place of Worship, Medical Practice, Bereavement Group Leader

Ā What will I be expected to do?

  • You can visit bereaved people in their home or a mutually convenient venue or help to run a bereavement ā€œdrop-inā€ group
  • You can become part of our Childrenā€™s Visiting Group** supporting children and young people at school or in their home
  • If you are an experienced counsellor, you may be willing to be a Group Leader (or Deputy)Ā  or get involved in helping with our Training Programme

** subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service checks

Will I be trained?
You will receive full training before you start, with additional training if you want to join our Childrenā€™s Visiting Group. However the initial training does not automatically guarantee that you will be accepted as a bereavement visitor. For full details contact the Bereavement Care office on 020 8427 5720 or check on our Training page for details of the next courses.

As part of our commitment to your personal and professional development we offer on-going training and support plus an annual conference with a keynote speaker and workshops with leading specialists in bereavement care.

What are the rewards?
As a bereavement visitor you are likely to gain enormous satisfaction from knowing that by giving someone the opportunity to talk and be listened to, you are helping them adjust to their new situation.

You will feel more confident in talking and listening to people who have been bereaved. This is not only of value to the bereaved people you may meet through Bereavement Care, but with family members and friends who are bereaved.

Some of our visitors have realized a vocation and have used bereavement visiting to ā€œtest the waterā€ and then register with a training provider in counselling.

You will be entitled to discounted rates for our on-going skills development programme and annual conference.

How do I start?
Contact our office or register for the Initial Bereavement Training Course.Ā  You will not be committing yourself ā€“ but youā€™ll find out if itā€™s right for you.