To enable us to meet needs we require more qualified group counsellors. We propose to run training, conducted by an experienced and qualified Cruse trainer, accredited to level 3 by Ascentis, making it an accepted qualification. The funding we are asking for is for an initial training course of twelve trainees with two trainers, followed by three support groups in the first year and four groups in the second year.

Oxford Cruse offers both one-to-one and group counselling. Currently we only have two qualified group counsellors so we are organising training for people to train as Bereavement Support Group counsellors. Once trained, these people will be able to organiser more Bereavement Support Groups. This will help reduce our waiting list and support more people through their bereavement.

We currently have a 6 week waiting list to see a counsellor. We anticipate that by training twelve counsellors to effectively run bereavement support groups and by funding essential supervision for the duration of the groups, we will be able to provide support for more bereaved people in a shorter time thus reducing our waiting list. The feedback received for the groups we have run previously has been excellent and we feel that the groups are a very effective way of supporting bereaved people.