We are recruiting - Bereavement Support Facilitator
Posted 26th March 2025
We are recruiting to our Bereavement Support Facilitator team. This role helps with the delivery of our child bereavement support programme called "The Forest Project" - a fabulously rewarding role. Could you be interested? Read on...
Job title: Bereavement Support Facilitator
Organisation: Fitmums and Friends registered Charity 1173919
Location of role: Humber Forest School, Meaux, East Riding of Yorkshire
Hours: 20 hours per programme. 15 hours contact time in Forest, 5 hours/training/preparation/debrief
Payment: £30 per hour
Contract: Zero hours with Fitmums and Friends
Accountable to: Bereavement Co-ordinator (Fitmums and Friends)
Background
The Forest Project provides bereavement support for children and young people aged 6-17 years in a Forest School setting. The idea of this bereavement offer is to combine forest activity with opportunities for children to talk about their grief/bereavement. Each programme runs over for four consecutive Saturdays in the forest.
The role of Bereavement Support Facilitator (BSF) involves working as part of a wider team with trained Forest Leaders from Humber Forest School. The Forest Leaders create and support the delivery of forest activities such as den building, making campfires and cooking, tool making, wood carving and whittling sticks. The role is to lead discussions and bereavement activities within the forest setting with the children.
The programme is organised into weekly themes which include topics such as talking about memories, exploring worries and feelings, and looking at ongoing support for after the programme ends. Each programme has capacity for 10 children to attend and are organised within appropriate age ranges, so sometimes a programme may involve children in a lower age range and sometimes may be planned for older teens. This all depends on referrals received.
To learn more about the Forest Project:
Film "Voices of the Forest Kids"
Animation - The Forest Project
A volunteer perspective - Emily
About the Forest Project Article
The role
We are looking for someone who can lead and facilitate group discussions with confidence and assurance, respecting the age, understanding, and willingness of bereaved children. This means being attuned to the dynamic of the group with the ability to adjust and adapt the approach as needed. We need someone with enthusiasm, positivity, energy with the ability to motivate, encourage and support children in their bereavement journey.
While specific experience with grief and bereavement is not essential it is desirable or there must be evidence that a candidate is confident in working with the concept of grief and how it may present in children and young people.
BSF’s work in pairs and therefore need to be team players working closely together to facilitate each programme.
Programmes are organised according to demand but generally they run September to May each year. We also run 1-day catch up events in between programmes – these are for children who have already attended a 4-week programme.
For the sake of continuity, we like the BSF team to ideally be available for the whole of a programme i.e. 4 consecutive weeks. Bereavement support facilitators are not expected to be able to work every programme, a rota is agreed considering people’s availability.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Be flexible and adaptable to working with challenging groups and diverse situations.
- To have enthusiasm, positivity and energy to motivate and encourage, but attuned to the dynamic of the group and to be able to adjust and adapt accordingly.
- Facilitate group discussions around bereavement with confidence and assurance.
- Willingness to work in an outdoor forest setting in all weathers.
- Ability to work with a variety of age ranges.
- Evidence of up-to-date Child Safeguarding training or willingness to complete.
- This is a physically demanding role, so a good level of fitness is helpful. Ability to attend four consecutive Saturdays in the forest and attend an online briefing prior to an allocated programme. Ability to attend a face to face staff meeting when required. Experience of working with children and young people in a related setting (Youth work, counselling, psychology, play therapy, social work).
To apply
For enquiries and to apply please send a CV and covering letter to heather@fitmums.org.uk
Application Deadline: 8th June 2025
Performance Activewear
Shop now
Yearning to start your own group?
We're here to help
Find out more
