Suicide Bereavement Worker

Spinx; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is seeking a Suicide Bereavement Worker to provide compassionate, person-centred support to individuals bereaved by suicide. The role offers 23 hours per week across Gloucestershire with in-person, telephone and digital contact.

You will deliver 1:1 and group support, handle practical matters, and signpost to services, while empowering clients to regain control and move forward at their own pace. Evening work is required.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people affected by suicide or bereavement.
• Lived experience of bereavement by suicide (3+ years since).
• Ability to work across Gloucestershire with flexible hours including evenings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, person-centred bereavement support 1:1 and in groups.
• Use bereavement support planning and outcome tools to track progress.
• Provide practical support, advocacy and liaison with agencies (police, coroners, professionals).
• Offer information, guidance and signposting to local and national services.
• Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and communities.
• Support service monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Bereavement support

Bereavement by suicide

Communication skills

Independent working

Safeguarding experience

IT skills

Education

NVQ 3 / QCF Health & Social Care

Job description

At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe in a future where everyone severely affected by mental illness has access to the support they need and the respect they deserve. Our Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service plays a vital role in providing compassionate, person-centred support to people bereaved by suicide - helping them rebuild hope, resilience and wellbeing.

We're now looking for a Suicide Bereavement Worker to join our dedicated team and be part of a highly valued, peer-led service.

This is a part time position, offering 23 hours a week.

About the role

As a Suicide Bereavement Worker, you'll deliver one-to-one and group support to people of any age who have been bereaved by suicide or suspected suicide. You'll work flexibly across Gloucestershire, offering in-person, telephone and digital support within community settings and people's homes.

You'll help individuals navigate incredibly difficult and often complex circumstances - from practical matters like inquests, police engagement and funeral arrangements, to emotional support, advocacy and signposting to specialist services.

This role is deeply meaningful. You'll empower people to regain control, make sense of their experiences, and move forward at their own pace.

What you'll be doing

In this role, you will:

• Deliver high-quality, person-centred bereavement support, both 1:1 and in groups.
• Use bereavement support planning and outcome measurement tools to track progress and demonstrate impact.
• Provide practical support, advocacy and liaison with agencies (e.g. police, coroners, professionals).
• Offer information, guidance and signposting to local and national services.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders and local communities.
• Contribute to service monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Support volunteers and ensure safe, ethical, and compassionate practice at all times.

About you

You'll bring compassion, resilience, and a strong commitment to supporting people through one of the most challenging experiences of their lives.

You'll need to have:

• Experience supporting people affected by suicide, bereavement, caring roles, or working within health/social care.
• Lived experience of bereavement by suicide (with at least 3 years having passed).
• Ability to work flexibly across Gloucestershire, including evenings up to 8pm.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work independently.
• Experience of safeguarding, incident reporting and lone working.
• NVQ 3 / QCF Diploma in Health & Social Care (or related subject).
• Excellent organisational and IT skills.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience delivering training or awareness sessions
• Trauma-informed training
• Knowledge of Gloucestershire services and communities
• Experience providing advocacy or supporting people who self-harm
• Knowledge of grief theories or loss support
• Experience in working with bereaved children

If you're compassionate, resilient and ready to support people at one of the most critical moments in their lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:

• An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
• Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
• Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
• Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.

Our commitment to inclusion

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.