Sands Befrienders play a vital role in offering support to bereaved families throughout the UK. Many of us know first hand how much comfort and support a Befriender can give. The invaluable reassurance of talking to someone else who has been affected by the death of a baby and who is nearby to phone or to meet. Sands is very proud to be able to offer this service and we are hugely grateful to the many volunteers around the country on whom the service relies.

It is, however, very important that anyone intending to take on the role of a Befriender is emotionally ready and has suitable support themselves. In order to become a Sands Befriender there are 4 requirements:

• At least one year should have elapsed since your own baby's death
• You are an individual paid member of Sands
• You are linked with your nearest local Group
• You have attended and successfully completed the Sands Befriender Training Programme

The befriender training not only helps the facilitators of the training to decide if a parent is ready to befriend, but also enables parents to decide if they feel ready too.

To register your interest and for more information on dates and venues of future training programmes, please contact:

Lesley Dewar befriendertraining(at)uk-sands.org

or

Erica Stewart erica.stewart(at)uk-sands.org

or call them at the office on 0207 436 7940.

 

Click here to download Befriender Training Application Form »