Children and Young People's Counsellor Volunteer

We’re looking for compassionate, skilled volunteers to join our counselling team and make a genuine difference to families across west Herts and Bucks.

At Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, we offer free, specialist support to people living with life‑limiting illness — and to the children and young people affected by a parent, sibling, or loved one’s serious illness or death. By volunteering just a few hours each month, you’ll help ensure no young person has to navigate grief or uncertainty alone.

💛 What will you be doing?

As a Children & Young People’s Counsellor Volunteer, you’ll:

• Provide Level 3 counselling (NICE guidance) for children and young people under 18
• Work with clients at home, in our hospice buildings (St Albans/Watford), in schools, or online
• Support young people navigating illness, bereavement, and change
• Use an integrative or pluralistic approach to help children express themselves in ways that feel right for them
• Manage a small caseload independently within a warm, supportive team
• Attend monthly supervision and regular team meetings
• Help us reach more families who otherwise may not get the support they need

Time commitment: Around 16 hours per month, usually supporting 2+ young clients at any time, with 6–12 sessions each. We ask for a minimum 6‑month commitment.

Who are we looking for?

If you:

• have a Level 4 counselling qualification specifically for working with children and young people
• have great listening and communication skills
• are comfortable talking about illness, grief, and loss in an age‑appropriate way
• can empathise while maintaining healthy boundaries
• are reliable, flexible, and have basic IT skills

…we’d love to hear from you.

🌱 What’s in it for you?

Volunteering in this role is meaningful, rewarding, and professionally enriching. You’ll gain:

💬 Real-world counselling experience

Work directly with children and young people facing complex emotional challenges — ideal for newly qualified counsellors building experience or established practitioners wanting to specialise.

🌈 Support every step of the way

You’ll receive monthly supervision, a named line manager, and be part of a friendly, multidisciplinary team who truly value what volunteers bring.

🧩 Flexibility

Sessions can be in-person or virtual, and we work with you to find a pattern that suits your life.

🤝 A chance to make a lasting impact

Your support will help young people build resilience, feel heard, and find hope during incredibly difficult times.

💼 CV and personal development benefits

Great for enhancing your professional profile, developing clinical skills, and contributing to a respected hospice charity.

💸 Expenses covered

We reimburse reasonable travel costs so you’re never out of pocket.