Winchester Bereavement Support

04/09/2025

Are you a trained Supervisor, or a supervisor in training, with membership of BACP, UKCP or HCPC and at least three years post qualification experience, including bereavement counselling?

If so, Wi******er Bereavement Support would love to hear from you. We are looking for a new supervisor, local to Wi******er, to join our team to provide monthly supervision for a small group of voluntary bereavement visitors. We would be prepared to consider a supervisor in training as we offer a contribution of up to 50% towards training costs, subject to a commitment of approximately three hours pcm, for a minimum period of 24 months.

You would be fully supported by other volunteer supervisors and by monthly meetings with a Senior Supervisor. This is an unpaid role but reasonable expenses are reimbursed. For further information and a full role description please email secretary@wbs.org.uk

25/07/2025

Wednesday saw many of our bereavement visitors coming together for one of our regular development training sessions. This time the theme was on "boundaries" - how do we ensure that your boundaries are respected, whilst giving you the chance to talk openly about your loss? What about the boundaries of our volunteers? The session was thought provoking, covering topics such as touch, private space, and mutual respect, and was a lovely opportunity for our wonderful volunteers to come together and learn from each other.

22/07/2025

Due to increased demand for our services, we are currently looking for people in the Wi******er area to become volunteer bereavement visitors. We will be running a training course this autumn and are inviting people to apply.

Do you, or someone you know, have a few hours spare each week, and would like to make a real difference to someone who is struggling with bereavement? All our volunteers say how rewarding the work they do it If you think this might be something you could do, please message us with your email address for more information.

04/07/2025

Lovely article in the Hampshire Chronicle about our new, lovely volunteers

All applicants are interviewed before starting their training to ensure they understand the charity’s ethos and approach.

23/06/2025

This week is Small Charity Week. Wi******er Bereavement Support is a small local charity, with approximately 50 volunteers, and no paid staff. Yet the impact we have can be huge, as the quote below shows. Every year we actively recruit more volunteers - if you might be interested, keep an eye out for further details later in the year. If you feel you or someone you know may benefit from our help, please do contact us.

"It was such a relief to talk about my feelings to someone who understood and was able to give such excellent advice, support and encouragement. I felt such a lot of solace from having been listened to and being able to tell her about my wonderful son was so helpful. I’m so very grateful."

03/06/2025

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around"

As we mark Volunteer week, the above quote was shared with us by one of our lovely volunteers as it sums up why she volunteers. She goes on to say "I was stopped by the manager in the supermarket this week to thank me so much for the help when one of their colleagues died, saying what a great help it had been to the team".

Wi******er Bereavement Support is run entirely by volunteers and we are immensely proud of every one of them for the impact they have.

25/05/2025

This week it was our AGM. As well as the annual review of finances etc., it was wonderful to hear about the 74 bereaved people in the area we were able to support this last year, and to welcome several of our 8 new, fully trained volunteer visitors, full of enthusiasm. Once the business of the day was finished, there was a chance to catch up over coffee (and as we all know, no event is complete without cake!) followed by a training session on the importance of self care, ensuring our team are in the best frame of mind and physical health to offer support to others in the future.

Did I mention the cake? It was delicious!!

(Photo description: a village hall, with several people listening attentively to a speaker at the front of the room)

11/05/2025

As we reach the end of Dying Matters week, we've been reflecting on feedback from some of our former clients. It's always heart-warming to know you've made a difference. The following is one such example:

"A accompanied me so gently through the different stages of my bereavement. I didn’t want to offload onto family and close friends, she knew perfectly how to handle this. As well as words she understands the power of silence. It has been a very restorative experience".

Photo is of the bench WBS funded in memory of those who died during the COVID Pandemic - somewhere for people to sit a reflect.

06/05/2025

This week is Dying Matters week 2025, and we are proud to offer support to those who need it following bereavement.

Bereavement is a very personal experience and we react to it in many different ways.

Your emotions may include shock, fear, guilt and anger. You may feel depressed or lonely, lack confidence or have difficulty sleeping.

Family and friends can help, but if you are finding it hard to cope with your bereavement, consider talking to a bereavement support visitor. Whether your bereavement was recent or long ago, someone who understands may help.

We are trained to listen. We will visit you in your home, or provide support over the phone, for as long as you need us. Everything you say will be treated in strict confidence.

There is no charge for our service.

Today marks the start of this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week – exploring why the culture of Dying Matters.

The theme – which aims to share experiences of death and dying from the voices of people from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds – asks us all to be brave, curious and compassionate.

Here’s what’s happening across the week and beyond – and how you can get involved.
https://www.hospiceuk.org/latest-from-hospice-uk/dying-matters-awareness-week-2025