Suicide Bereavement Peer Support (Voluntary)
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Seeking compassionate volunteers with lived experience for a peer support group in Tunbridge Wells.
Each group is run by a team of three volunteers who have all been bereaved by suicide themselves. Groups usually meet once a month for around 2 hours. All volunteers are provided with full training. * Facilitate group sessions – meeting survivors, starting off conversations, allowing space for people to talk (if they want to), and looking out for others. * Administration & communication – managing enquiries from survivors in a timely manner, providing information, submitting information to the national office. * Provide signposting to head office, as well as other local charities & services.
Administration,Advice, Information & Support,Counselling,Fundraising,Employee & Group Volunteering
Good IT Skills, Talking To Others, Admin, Listening
- Listening skills - We provide an ear for people when they need it most. We normalise feelings and experiences - Talking to others - We create a warm and welcoming environment for the bereaved and speak to new enquiries over the phone before they join their first meeting. - Admin & IT Skills - We answer enquiries over email and submit monthly figures using a simple form. - Facilitation - We guide the meetings, welcome everyone, explain ground rules, and get the conversation started. We provide training to help you know how to manage meeting dynamics. - Lived experience of suicide loss is the most important factor, and one of our only real required "qualifications". We provide peer support for bereaved people, so shared experiences and modelling recovery are key for this role. The impacts of a death by suicide are far-reaching - volunteers have been impacted by the loss of family members, friends, colleagues, old school friends, and even strangers. We ask all volunteers to wait at least 2 years before applying to allow them space to process their bereavement. Readiness is key, and we are here for you if you need support yourself. Other key skills: Passionate about supporting others in your community. Friendly, trustworthy, and approachable, with good active listening skills. Respectful, sensitive, and non-judgmental approach to survivors. Comfortable sitting with difficult emotions (this sometimes comes with time!). Good communication skills in spoken & written English. A commitment to support the group, your team, and the surrounding community.
Robust training and our commitment to your ongoing development. Develop counselling & bereavement support skills - we're not counsellors, but we utilise similar skills. Experience volunteering with a national organisation - we're the only one like this in the UK! Peer support from over 400 other volunteers with regular opportunities to meet, share ideas, and receive support. Regular check ins & catch-up sessions with a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator for your region, and our team in national office. Volunteer from home - virtual & phone support opportunities available. Coverage by SoBS’ Public Liability Insurance whilst you’re carrying out the role. Travel & group expenses paid per our expenses policy.
As this is a new group, we aim to be flexible to meet volunteer availablilty. Volunteers are generally required once a month on a weekday evening for 3 hours.
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Location will be central Tunbridge Wells. We don't publicise meeting locations for safeguarding purposes.
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