Somewhere to turn when someone dies.
Cruse exists to promote the well being of bereaved people and to enable anyone suffering bereavement to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Our 25 specially trained volunteers provide free one to one bereavement support to help adults and children through their grieving process and to support them in taking the first steps to a changed life. Our branch supports over 350 bereaved people each year. We also have a friendship group that meets fortnightly.
Why the community needs usEveryone will have to cope with death at some time. People's lives can be devastated by the grief and turmoil a death can cause. It can destroy a family. Cruse volunteers work one to one with people, young and old, aiming to enable them to face the future and rebuild their lives. They may be having great difficulty coping with family or work responsibilities. We help give them strategies to cope whilst allowing them to express and understand their grief.
Our impact on the communitySurveys of past clients reveal that their health and wellbeing is significantly restored after being supported by a bereavement volunteer. In some cases where people have been unable to attend work, support has helped them return to normal life. Where relationships have been difficult, they have found bereavement counselling a huge help in regaining a more positive outlook. Our value to the health system is reflected by the large number of referrals we receive from GPs.
We need people to train as bereavement support volunteers, telephone helpers, administrative supporters, fund-raisers, and to help with PR and publicity events. All volunteers who are in direct contact with clients need a CRB check to be organised by us.
