E
xeter students are being trained as volunteer grief support workers for a local charity.
Founded in 2007, Balloons, whose name was inspired by the expression “Bereavement and Loss – Looking onwards”, provides bereavement support to children and young people after the death of someone significant in their lives, in Exeter, East and Mid Devon.
Volunteer grief support workers with Balloons are involved with therapeutic interventions, group work and special activity days, enabling children and young people to express and process their grief in their own way and at their own pace.
68 students applied for 10 places on the pilot scheme, with the first cohort halfway through their weekly training. They will begin volunteering next term. Volunteers will be matched to a child living in Exeter who has suffered bereavement, helping them to cope, move forward and stay positive engaged in family and school life.
If the pilot scheme proves successful, the charity hope to run training annually on campus.
Those interested are encouraged to get in touch via the Balloons website (http://balloonscharity.co.uk).
