Ready for when your world falls apart (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Ready for when your world falls apart

Ref. 28817-23ANYONE who has suffered a bereavement knows how hard life can be after losing a loved one. Experiences and feelings will vary greatly.

Some people feel anger, despair, lost and lonely. Others may carry on with their daily life and only feel the impact of their loss weeks or months down the line.

Cruse Bereavement Care under-stands these differing emotions. It is the leading UK charity specialising in bereavement, with 178 branches nation-wide and more than 6,300 volunteers.

More than 100,000 people contact Cruse each year for free help and information.

The Swindon branch, based at the Friends Meeting House, in Eastcott Hill, has been running for 20 years, and comprises a team of around 50 volunteers, including counsellors who give up their time free of charge.

There are currently 35 people being helped, with another 18 on the waiting list.

Cruse also operates a busy support and social group allowing people to meet up for a chat.

Bob Burnett knows first hand how Cruse can support people, although he admits he had never heard of the charity before he needed its help.

Mr Burnett, 80, of Lydiard Millicent, turned to a Cruse councillor following the death of his wife Phyllis eight years ago. Phyllis had battled against cancer for 15 years, but she died aged 75.

He was so impressed with the charity's help he signed up to help and is now a referral and allocations officer for the Swindon branch.

He said: "Phyllis and I were married for 49 years and when someone that close to you dies, you feel like your whole world has collapsed.

"You see everyone around you in the streets and shops carrying on with their lives, laughing and chatting and you just wonder why they're not feeling your loss.

"But obviously that's just normal. At that time I just feel I needed guidance and my doctor recommended that I go to Cruse.

"I didn't know what it was but decided to go along. I was given a counsellor who I saw a few times every couple of weeks. It helped me tremendously."

Mr Burnett, a former production manager at Vickers, explained each referral is matched up with a counsellor best suited to the individual case. The waiting list varies greatly from one week to the next, as some people might need only a couple of sessions with a counsellor whereas others might want to continue for longer.

Cruse needs £11,000 a year to survive. This cash is raised by a dedicated team of fundraisers and from donations but more help is needed.

Cruse can be contacted on 01793 619933.

aemery@newswilts.co.uk

How can you help?

What can you do for Cruse?

You can help run a branch or area. This could involve fundraising, organising publicity, administration or being part of a management committee.

You can talk to bereaved people. This could be counselling or support for individuals, running bereavement groups, organising social and fundraising groups, or telephone support.

You can be part of a team offering training and bereavement awareness programmes to anyone who wants to know more about bereavement.

Who can volunteer for Cruse?

Anyone can apply to be a volunteer for Cruse. You do not need to have any qualifications or previous experience but you do need to care about bereaved people and have time to offer. You will be given all the preparation and support you need.