Northern Trust seeks new Bereavement Comfort Call volunteers to support grieving families
- Love Ballymena
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
Could you offer a listening ear to someone in grief?
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is calling on kind-hearted individuals to step forward as Bereavement Comfort Call Volunteers, offering emotional support to grieving families across Northern Ireland.
This deeply meaningful volunteer role involves making sensitive and timely telephone calls to the next of kin of patients who have passed away in the Trust’s acute and community hospitals.
The calls are designed to offer a listening ear, express condolences, and guide individuals to further bereavement support services.
Leona Laverty, Bereavement Coordinator at the Northern Trust, emphasised the importance of the initiative:
“The nature of death and bereavement can be complex and deeply personal. Many families benefit greatly from a simple call offering empathy and support.
“If you are a kind, compassionate person with good listening skills, your presence on the other end of the phone could make a real difference to someone at one of the most difficult times in their life.”
Volunteers are trained and supported throughout their journey. The Trust ensures all participants are fully prepared to handle the emotional sensitivity of the role, with continuous guidance from both the Bereavement Comfort Call Coordinator and a close-knit volunteer community.
“This role is both rewarding and impactful,” Ms Laverty added.
“You’ll not only provide vital comfort, but also become part of a close volunteer network. All bereavement comfort call volunteers receive training to prepare them for this sensitive and important role ensuring they feel confident and supported in every call they make.
“Ongoing support is available through the bereavement comfort call coordinator and the wider volunteer team, fostering a strong sense of community, connection, and shared purpose.
“Whether you’re hoping to give back to your community, gain insight into a caring role, or simply wish to help others when they need it most, we invite you to join this valued service.”
Volunteer requirements and application details
Interested individuals should be compassionate, empathetic, and confident in using IT systems. Access to a laptop or PC, a mobile phone, and a good internet connection are essential for this role.
Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 8 August 2025
Suitability conversations: via telephone on Tuesday 12 August 2025
Online training session: Tuesday 19 August 2025, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
To learn more or to request an application pack, email:
