The aim of this course is to provide individuals with the awareness, knowledge and basic counselling skills needed to provide effective support for bereaved people.

Bereavement can be the most traumatic and significant life event that a person will experience. Our experience in Guildford & Waverley Cruse is that effective bereavement counselling can help people cope with the impact of death and its aftermath, promote health and enable individuals to live fully and independently.

Whilst Awareness in Bereavement Care is designed as a foundation course for all Cruse volunteers and staff with client contact, it will benefit anyone interested in bereavement issues. Additional training, continuing development and supervision is provided for those who successfully apply to join Guildford & Waverley Cruse.

The course is facilitated by a small team of experienced Cruse bereavement counsellors who have additional knowledge and skills in the field of adult learning.

Theory, skills and personal values are integrated throughout by working with two models (Awareness, Skills and Knowledge / Feelings, Thoughts and Actions). Due to the content and structure, this course is not recommended for anyone who has had a close bereavement in the last 2 years.

A Cruse certificate will be awarded to all trainees who successfully complete the course by attending at least 13 out of 16 sessions, including Session 1, and by producing a portfolio which will be internally moderated. As an optional extra, the course is accredited by OCNW (Open College North West) for 48 hours of taught time and 12 hours personal learning. This involves both internal and external moderation of portfolio evidence.

Please find below details of our training course for Bereavement Volunteers. We do not currently have a course planned in this branch but please contact the Branch Administrator on 01483 418781 if you would like to be included on the waiting list to receive details of future courses.