Where: Face to face, via secure online platform (Zoom) or via telephone contact.

When: 2 to 4 clients per week – (weekends preferred or after school hours 4 to 7pm)

DBS: Enhanced with adult and child barring check required.

Qualifications: An accredited counselling qualification, to be in the 2^nd year of a diploma or degree in counselling (end of first-year students will be considered), a social work qualification with appropriate counselling experience or significant relevant other experience.

Closing date: 18^th October 2022

Interviews: 25^th and 27^th October 2022

About the role

We are looking for bereavement support volunteers for the Seahorse Project, our bereavement support service for children aged 6 to 18. The bereavement service offers 1:1 brief intervention support (typically a six-session model) to those recently bereaved, including those who have not been previously known to hospice services.

Your skills, abilities and qualifications: 

• An accredited counselling qualification, to be in the 2^nd year of a diploma or degree in counselling (first-year students will be considered), a social work qualification with appropriate counselling experience or significant relevant other experience.
• Experience of bereavement training (and some counselling hours).
• Completed some working online counselling training.
• Some experience of working with children and young people.
• Strong interpersonal skills, especially empathy & sensitivity.
• Flexibility to respond to the needs of the service (including IT updates).
• An awareness of the importance of client confidentiality.

Key responsibilities:

• Meet with allocated clients on a one-to-one basis.
• Follow-up administration.
• Participate in regular monthly supervision group meetings, in accordance with best practice.
• Attend the hospice organisational induction, and relevant initial training for the role, as organised by FSC and DPFS.
• Attend Seahorse Project meetings held bi-monthly.

Apply and more information

If you have passion and commitment to supporting people through their bereavement, please download the application form from our website and return along with a covering letter containing answers to the following questions:

• What attracts you to hospice and bereavement work?
• Looking at our values, how have you demonstrated these in your life?
• How do you think people can benefit from bereavement support?
• What have you learnt about yourself in your first year of training and how might that help you to support someone in their bereavement?
• Have you completed any additional counselling workshops or training in a related field?

We will also require a letter of competence to be included and your BACP or equivalent number.

Please be aware successful applicants are required to attend introductory training on Saturday 12^th November.

Please return your cover letter, application and letter of competence by email to vsteam@stwhospice.org, by post, or drop it in next time you’re at the hospice before the closing date.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the role further, please contact Ella Williams on 01323 434257 or email ella.williams@stwhospice.org