A BEREAVEMENT charity is looking for volunteers willing to listen to people affected by loss.
Sue Ryder is opening a new Grief Kind Space in Wokingham Borough, and would like to hear from volunteers ready to lend a listening ear.
Martyn Cooper has been a Grief Kind Space volunteer in Thatcham, where the scheme first began.
He said: “To be a good volunteer you need to have patience, tolerance and an ability to remember that you have two ears and one mouth and to use them in that proportion,” he said.
The new Finchampstead scheme will be Berkshire’s third.
It comes after the success of sessions already established at Sheeplands Garden Centre, Hare Hatch, and Thatcham Garden Centre Restaurant, in Thatcham.
The scheme provides weekly, in-person drop-in sessions.
Held in the local community and run by trained volunteers they are a safe, informal and supportive place for people to come together and share their experiences of grief.
Mr Cooper continued: “It’s a very brave thing to come along to a session for the first time, but it gives you a chance to talk about things without having to explain it all, and to realise that you are not alone.
“It is wonderful that a new space is being opened in Wokingham.
“To anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer I’d say, try it.
“It’s joyous and you get to meet such incredible people.
“I get on so well with the other volunteers and we gone from a group of strangers, to becoming friends.”
Grief Kind Spaces are only able to run with support from volunteers.
Carrie Connolly, Grief Kind Space coordinator, said: “We have seen an incredible impact from our Grief Kind Space in Thatcham and Reading.
“It is amazing to see people make connections and open up about their experiences of grief.
“Quite often grieving people feel they are a burden if they share their sadness with friends or family, but our volunteers help to remove that feeling.
“Sessions allow people to talk, to listen to others who might be experiencing the same as them, and to gain support.
“But we can’t do any of this without the support of our amazing volunteers.”
Once opened, the new service will take place at Finchampstead Baptist Church Centre, on Wednesdays from 10am until noon.
To find out more about becoming a Grief Kind Space volunteer visit: www.sueryder.org ,or email: GriefKindSpaces@sueryder.org
For more information, visit: www.finchampstead.com
