A COUNSELLING service in Bromsgrove is looking for volunteers to help it continue its work in the area.

Bromsgrove Bereavement Counselling Service is a registered charity and was set up 20 years ago to offer support and advice to people having difficulty coming to terms with the death of a close friend or relative.

At the moment, the service has six specially trained counsellors but is looking for another four to join its team which visits people in their own homes in the Bromsgrove area.

Volunteers do not have to be trained as basic training will be given and counsellors will meet once a week in a special support group led by a professional tutor.

Would-be volunteers should be empathetic, non-judgmental, friendly, and be able to relate to people quickly and easily.

The service deals with a variety of people, some referred by their doctor and some who have contacted the service themselves, from those who have recently suffered bereavement to those who, years later, are still having problems coming to terms with the loss.

Counsellors usually have three or four people on their client list and are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Manager Sue Wood, who has been part of the service since 1985, said: "Having more counsellors would mean we can retain our very proud boast of responding to people within a week of them seeking our help.

"Very few services are able to achieve this and often people end up waiting months for an appointment."

Anyone interested should contact Sue Wood on 01384 372987.