Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in Abbey Wood, South East London is seeking to recruit to its team of hospice-based volunteers who provide telephone bereavement support during the evenings and at weekends.

The Telephone Bereavement Service (TBS) was launched in 2011 to support the families and friends of those who die under the care of Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.

“It’s not a counselling service but a service that aims to offer knowledge and reassurance to the bereaved and empower them to ask for support if it is needed,” says Senior Practitioner Psychological Care, Anthony Boland.

“For some, this may lead to more specialist counselling support. For many others, a three-monthly phone call is enough.”

“The service helps people who are struggling with bereavement, to access the support they need.”

The TBS has helped 2,364 people over the past three years, with one service user, saying: “By the end of the call I felt a lot better. I could say exactly how I felt, and the volunteer knew what I was going through. I appreciate everything that she has done for me.”

Open meetings to find out more will be held on Thursday 11th December from 12–1pm and Tuesday 6th January from 6-7pm at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, 185 Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood, London SE2 0GB.

Training starts on Friday 16th January 2015 at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, all volunteers will receive ongoing training and support from the counselling team.

To find out more, please contact the Volunteers’ Department on 020 8320 5812, email vanessahill@gbch.org.uk or visit the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice website www.communityhospice.org.uk.

www.communityhospice.org.uk/support-and-counselling