Calderdale Help In Bereavement Service
is a free, confidential service, and available to anyone who has suffered a bereavement. It is a charitable, voluntary organisation that offers a unique independent service, giving emotional support to the bereaved of Calderdale.
About CHIBS
Calderdale Help in Bereavement Service was established in 1984 by a group of people who felt there was a need to offer bereavement support in a friendly, relaxed way. It has grown considerably over the last 24 years and has recently extended the service to offer support to children in Calderdale. The service is free and confidentiality is assured. All befrienders have a Criminal Records Check.All CHIBS befrienders are volunteers who have undergone professional training which is updated regularly. Most befrienders have suffered bereavement themselves and so have their own understanding of the many thoughts and feelings of desolation that grief can bring. This helps them to understand and be sensitive to the needs of the bereaved.
One to One Befriending
Support is offered on a one to one basis in your own home or at a mutually agreed venue, if preferred. If you would like to speak to a CHIBS befriender, you can contact the service yourself or ask another person to do so on your behalf. A befriender will contact you within a week to arrange a meeting. Remember, confidentiality is assured.Group Support
The support group is held at the Calderdale Womans Centre 23 Silver Street, Halifax on the first Monday of each month at 1.00 pm till 3.00 pm.We offer support, friendship and motivation to help people 'move on'. The group has been running successfully for 6 years and people of all ages have benefited from the service.There is a contribution of £1, which includes all refreshments.
Children
CHIBS has recognized a lack of support for bereaved children and has now specially trained befrienders to help them through the grieving process. This is open to all ages and can be accessed through the Helplines, by the child themselves, or someone on their behalf. Depending on the age of the child, work may be done through play, books or exercises.
The Referral Process
1. Ring the helpline on 0845 0099220 and speak to a co-ordinator who will take relevant details.2. The co-ordinator contacts a befriender and organises for them to contact you. This process is usually done within 3 days of initial contact.
3. The befriender will contact you and make a suitable appointment. You are usually seen in your own home but if that is not possible arrangements will be made to see you at our office or whatever you prefer.
We have a Childrens Co-ordinator on Helpline number 0845 0099221.
We do receive referrals from children themselves, although this is not usually the case, it is often a parent or teacher. The relevant information is taken and the same referral process will be followed as for an adult. Our Childrens befrienders have all received additional training by a professional body before seeing children. A Parential Consent Form has to be signed by a Parent/Guardian, Child and Befriender to protect everyone. On rare occasions the child will not want a parent to know, but we do encourage them to talk to them first.
Referrals
We take referrals from other sources: Doctors, social services, mental health teams and any other support services that require our help. service is open to whoever needs us. We try to encourage the client to 'self refer' but sometimes this isn't always appropriate, but it is important to discuss the referral with them first.If you wish to use any of our services the Helpline Numbers are as follows:-
Adults Co-ordinator on 0845 0099220
Childs Co-ordinator on 0845 0099221
Or contact the office on 01422 347045 (Monday to Friday 10.00 till 14.00)
Our office is located at 13 Northgate Halifax HX1 1UN
email info@chibs.co.uk
