From Supported to Supporting: Liz’s Story
My Journey as a Cruse Helpline Volunteer
The support I received changed my life. Today, I have the privilege of supporting others.
I lost my beloved father to COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic. Like so many families at that time, we were navigating unprecedented circumstances. There were no established support services specifically for people bereaved by COVID-19, and during national lockdown we had to endure losing Dad in isolation. None of the usual rituals of loss applied, and it was difficult to know where to turn.
I had heard of Cruse Bereavement Support and somehow found the courage to call the National Helpline. It was one of the best decisions I could have made.
Through Cruse, I was connected with a wonderful bereavement volunteer from my local branch. During our weekly phone conversations, she helped me process the loss of my dad and gave me confidence that, over time, life would grow around my grief. Knowing that someone was there to listen with empathy, understanding and compassion made an enormous difference.
I will be forever grateful for the support I received.
That experience inspired me to give something back to the charity that helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my life.
Today, I volunteer on the Cruse National Helpline, providing confidential, non-judgemental and compassionate support to people who are grieving. Through phone and email conversations, I offer “in the moment” emotional support, helping people feel heard, understood and less alone.
It is a genuine privilege to walk alongside someone at one of the most painful times in their life. Sometimes what people need most is a calm, compassionate presence and a listening ear.
As a volunteer, I help callers explore their feelings, assess their support needs and find appropriate services, both within Cruse and elsewhere. Alongside my helpline role, I have supported online Open Days, trained as a volunteer interviewer, and regularly take part in professional development and bereavement training to ensure I can provide the best possible support.
The more I learn about grief, the more I understand that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grief has no fixed timeline and no universal pattern. Even two people experiencing the same loss can have completely different journeys.
Having experienced significant loss myself, I am comfortable talking about subjects that many people find difficult to discuss. My own bereavement taught me how powerful human connection can be and how much comfort can come from simply being listened to.
A significant bereavement is often described as joining a club that nobody wants to belong to. Because I have been there myself, I understand how important it is to know that someone is there for you.
Today, I am honoured to be part of a service that makes a real difference to people facing grief. The support I received helped me find hope when I needed it most, and now I have the privilege of helping others find theirs. If you are interested in becoming a Helpline Volunteer you can find more information about how to become one here.
Your Support Makes This Possible
The training, guidance and ongoing support that Cruse provides enables volunteers like me to be there for bereaved people when they need us most.
By supporting Cruse, you help ensure that more people experiencing grief can access the compassionate support that changed my life—and that continues to change the lives of countless others every day.
Will you help answer the next call?
A donation of £20, or whatever you can spare, today will help ensure no one has to face grief alone.