What
is Cruse one to one support?
It offers an opportunity to talk about anything that is related to bereavement.
Your counsellor is not there to offer you advice, nor to make judgements
about you or what you say. He or she is there to listen and will try
to understand your feelings and situation. This can help you to explore
different options and help you make decisions and act on them.
We offer you an initial meeting first to discuss your needs. If Cruse
does not seem the best place for help, then we may offer you other suggestions.
If you do wish to go on to have several sessions of one to one support
from a Cruse bereavement volunteer you will be allocated your own cruse
volunteer. You may have to wait a few weeks for this but we try to be
as quick as we can. You can say if you would prefer to see a male or
female.
Who
are Cruse Bereavement Volunteers?
They are local people, from all walks of life, male and female and of
all ages. They are volunteers and have all been selected and then extensively
trained by Cruse to understand the needs and concerns of bereaved adults
and children. They will all have had their own reasons and experiences
which have led them to volunteer for the Cruse training. They have supervision
every month and undergo regular ‘in-service’ training once
they start volunteering for Cruse.
What
do people talk about?
People might talk about how they feel now or about things that happened
in the past. Sometimes they are surprised by what they do talk about
and how things can make sense in a way they had not expected. The time
is given to you so that you can talk about your concerns about how a
bereavement has, or is, affecting you.
Is
it confidential?
Yes. We offer complete confidentiality except under exceptional circumstances.
We do not disclose information, nor confirm knowledge of you with anyone
without your informed consent except in an emergency.
How
do I get in touch?
Phone 01603 219977 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings between 10
and 12 am. You can speak to someone on our helpline who will take your
details.
If there is no one there when you call you can leave a message and we
will phone you back. or email us at norwich@cruse.org.uk
Do
I have to pay anything?
Our service is free. Cruse believes their service should be available
to all – but we do ask for a small deposit (which remains here
in our office) refundable at the end of your support. We explain this
in a letter we send to you following your first phone call.
What
happens next?
We will take some brief details from you over the phone and may send
you some other helpful information. We also send you the letter mentioned
above. As soon as we receive the small refundable deposit, we telephone
you to offer you an appointment for the first initial meeting.
Do
I have to wait?
The first meeting appointment is then offered straight away. You might
have to wait a week or so. If you and the counsellor at that first session
decide some on-going one to one Cruse counselling would be helpful for
you, you go on our short waiting list. You will then receive a phone
call from your allocated counsellor to arrange a convenient time to
meet. You may have to wait about 4 weeks for that but it may be sooner.
How
long does support last?
Each session lasts about an hour. How many sessions you have depends
on you and your counsellor. You may agree a certain number and then
change this as necessary. You may come weekly or fortnightly –
or whatever you agree with your Cruse bereavement volunteer.
Where
does it take place?
Either at the rooms we use in central Norwich or in your own home. Sometimes
it depends where you live and where the Cruse volunteer lives and when
you are available to see each other. Occasionally we use other venues
around Norfolk.
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