With patients/families

Children and young people’s counsellor volunteer

Are you a qualified children's counsellor with an interest in supporting children and young people through the illness or death of a close relative?

Opportunity details

Location

west Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Team

Supportive Care

Likely hours

About 4 hours per week

Volunteers in this role provide Level 3 counselling support (NICE guidance) for children
and young people under the age of 18 either in their homes, at one of our hospice
buildings in Watford or St Albans, at external venues, including schools, or by participating
in events organised by the team. These young clients will either be one of our patients
themselves, or have a parent, sibling or close relative who is seriously ill or who has died.

We encourage an integrative or pluralist approach using techniques which will support
clients to express and explore themselves how they see fit, and for clients to develop their
own coping strategies.

Our volunteers allow us to offer this service to more families who need it.

Complete our Enquiry Form to find out more about this role.

Join our Supportive Care Team

Our Supportive Care services help patients, carers, family members, children or close friends to cope emotionally and practically when a diagnosis of cancer or another life-changing illness is received. Support is tailored to the needs of each patient and family. Our Supportive Care Teams are here to help you secure practical help, boost your emotional well-being and work through the psychological challenges that life changing illness brings.
Fill out enquiry form

Benefits of becoming a Listening Volunteer

Full training and supervision provided You'll attend a one-day training course and will be assigned a line-manager to support you throughout

Make a difference to patients and families The emotional support you provide, will be invaluable to the patients and their families

Free up valuable nursing time The support you provide will help our clinical colleagues focus on patients’ medical needs

At our Inpatient Unit in Watford

Two to three hours a week

No previous experience is necessary. We are looking for people with a desire to help, who are good listeners, caring, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others, trustworthy, reliable and non-judgmental.

There will be a one-day in person mandatory training session at one of our Rennie Grove Peace sites.  There will be some additional mandatory training for you to complete at the start of your volunteering with us and periodic refresher training.

You will be line managed by our Bereavement Listening and Talking Therapies Team. You will also have support from the Clinical Team on the Inpatient Unit as and when needed.  There will be a short settling-in period to make sure you are happy, and the role is right for you.

We rely on the commitment of our volunteers to support our services, however we understand that you may need to take a break from your volunteering.  Your line manager will be in regular contact during your break and will be happy to discuss any changes to the support you can provide if necessary.  If you have been on an extended break it may be necessary for you to attend some refresher training.