“Being able to help people in pain at a difficult time in their lives is extremely rewarding” - Barry's story
“It might sound odd to say I find it enjoyable,” says bereavement service volunteer Barry. “But I do because seeing someone get better and dealing with the issues arising from their grief is fulfilling.”
When Barry’s previous voluntary work with a mentoring organisation supporting teenagers came to an end five years ago, he applied to Trinity as a bereavement volunteer because he wanted to do something involving counselling.
Barry started out by doing six months’ training with Trinity, which involved evening sessions and four full Saturdays. “It’s quite a big commitment as you have to attend 90 per cent of the sessions and later there’s ongoing training, quite a bit to read and regular supervision meetings,” he says.
Barry puts in about six hours a week for Trinity on a flexible basis enabling him to work his volunteering in around other activities. His role involves phoning people six to eight weeks after a relative or close friend has died to let them know that Trinity can give bereavement support if they feel it would help them.
“Overall, people are extremely pleased that someone has phoned them as promised – even if they don’t want counselling,” says Barry. “I get a sense of perspective on how much Trinity does from these calls – they support hundreds of people.”
Barry, who also does face-to-face bereavement counselling at the hospice, says: “I find being able to help people in pain at a difficult time in their lives extremely rewarding."
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