Bereavement charity searches for volunteers to support new services in Sandwell for locals experiencing grief

National healthcare and bereavement charity, Sue Ryder is on the lookout for volunteers across Sandwell to come on board and assist with the launch of its new community initiatives, offering vital support to local people experiencing grief.

: Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Spaces launching in Sandwell, need local volunteers who would be willing to listen and support people in their own communities who are grieving and need more support.

Following the successful launch of Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces at the Dorothy Parkes Centre Smethwick, the charity, which supports people through the most difficult times of their lives, whether that’s a terminal illness or the death of a loved one, has teamed up with three more venues, South Staffordshire Water Hub, Wednesbury, Cradley Heath Library and Oldbury Library, to launch new weekly Grief Kind Spaces from January 2025.

To get the initiative off the ground, the charity needs local volunteers who would be willing to listen and support people in their own communities who are grieving and need more support.

Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Spaces will be free weekly drop-in sessions, run by trained volunteers who will provide a safe and supportive space for people who have experienced a bereavement to come together. Sue Ryder hopes the Grief Kind Spaces will go some way to reducing the isolation and loneliness experienced by people after somebody close to them has died.

Commenting on the need for volunteers to come forward and support the services across Sandwell, Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Spaces Area Coordinator, Jayne Purshall said: “Almost every home in the UK has, or will experience the death of someone. Yet, our research tells us two out of three people who are grieving are still not getting the support they need.

“We spoke to 8,500 people who have been bereaved and many of them told us the support they really wanted was to meet and talk to others who had also been bereaved. That’s why we’re launching our Grief Kind Spaces.

“However, to open more Grief Kind Spaces here in Sandwell, we need local residents to volunteer with us. All volunteers joining us will be offered training which will equip them in their role.

"If you are interested in joining us in bringing more Grief Kind Spaces to Sandwell, please get in touch. You don't need to have experience or have done anything like this before - just have a willingness to support others.”

The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces will be held at Dorothy Parkes Centre, Church Road Smethwick, South Staffordshire Water Hub, Union Street Wednesbury, Cradley Heath Library, Upper High Street and Oldbury Library, Freeth Street, and will be community services offering a trusted, safe place for local people in to meet and talk about their bereavement.

To register your interest in becoming a Grief Kind volunteer in Sandwell please email GriefKindSpaces@sueryder.org or visit sueryder.org/GKVolunteer.

For anyone who is grieving, Sue Ryder offers free online support at sueryder.org/grief

Further details on Sandwell’s Grief Kind Spaces will be shared in due course.