Message From: Anna Heathcote
We have quite a specialist volunteer opportunity that we are promoting at present in Newark, Nottingham, Rushcliffe and Worksop. I’m conscious that these locations don’t fall within your area, however given this opportunity requires a specialist skillset and can be a placement for a student, I thought it would be good to widen the promotion to neighbouring areas e.g. if someone would travel from Loughborough to Nottingham or Chesterfield to Worksop. Are you therefore able to promote the following please?
We have three levels of 1:1 volunteers:
- 1:1 Volunteer Counsellors: qualified and support more complex cases
- 1:1 Bereavement Volunteers: those on placement
- 1:1 Volunteer Support Workers: entry level role for those who are qualified in other relevant fields e.g. Youth Workers, Teaching Assistants etc. Typically support children with memory book work.
Key points for your reference:
Requirements
- You will require a DBS before you can begin 1:1 volunteering. We can arrange this for you if you do not have one
- We expect a minimum of 12 months’ commitment
- We can only accept those who are 21 and over for this role
- You will be expected to support a minimum of three children/adults per week plus in-putting session notes and uploading assessments. There is opportunity to have a larger class-load if you wish.
Training:
- Volunteers must attend all mandatory modules (1-4) plus safeguarding training. You are required to complete the training within 3 months and pass all modules before started with 1:1 volunteering. The assessment will take the form of a reflective journal.
- Observations will be required within first three children/adults (but not the first appointment). Consent will be needed from child/adult. You must pass your observation to continue volunteering
Support:
- You can use our facilities, however it is preferable that you have their own laptop
- You can claim 45p per mileage for travelling to appointments (up to 25 miles each way)
- You can claim £15 per month towards external supervision if the cost is not covered in full elsewhere e.g by the university
- You must attend monthly external supervision to meet placement or counselling requirements (non-counselling qualified Bereavement Support Volunteers will be provided monthly supervision by the CBC).
- You are welcome to attend our twice yearly volunteer gatherings to meet others in 1:1 and group roles
- You will be assigned to an internal mentor
There are opportunities to help out with group work or seasonal workshops if you wish, along with fundraising events.
The closing date is 30.04.24. Interviews will take place in May and training in June, for this cohort to start supporting families thereafter. Full details, including role description and application forms can be found here.
I’m more than happy to answer any questions.
Many thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
Anna Heathcote
PA to Chief Executive
Children’s Bereavement Centre, 3 Kings Road, Newark, Notts, NG24 1EW
01636 551739
My working days are Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Mornings: Volunteer coordination (office-based)
Afternoons: Grant fundraising (home-based)
