Training dates

Our next four-day training course is on 5-6th and 12-13th December. It runs from 10:00 to 16:00 each day.

Where? In East London.

Interested? Want to know more?

For further information contact: Lawrence

Find out more

If you have any other inquiries please contact us by email:

downtoearth@qsa.org.uk

or give us a call: 020 8983 5047.

If you're ready to volunteer please download our application form, complete it and return it by:
-Post: QSA, 17 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green London E2 9PJ
-Fax: 020 8983 5069
-Email: downtoearth@qsa.org.uk

"In difficult times people fared better with companions... in this crisis of their lives people needed a community or at least some people who would care for them as they had cared for the deceased".

Michael Young in 'A Good Death -

a conversation with East Londoners'

Volunteer Mentors

Our volunteer mentors give advice and assistance to people on a low income as they negotiate funeral and other arrangements that will give their loved ones a good send off.

Down to Earth is recruiting for volunteers to be trained as mentors. Mentors will support people on a low income as they deal with the funeral planning process. Download an application pac k if you are interested or contact Lawrence.

What will mentoring be like?

Challenging but rewarding! You will work closely with individuals and families on low incomes who are organising a funeral—sometimes their own. You will be providing them with the information and support they need to make the best possible decisions at this difficult time.

What skills and qualities are we looking for?

We need people with empathy, patience and good communication skills. You will be a good organiser, confident in problem solving and happy working with challenging and delicate situations. Some experience of death and funerals is ideal, but not essential. Above all, we are looking for people with the time, skills and compassion to commit to working with people who are making hard decisions around death.

Why mentor for Down to Earth?

As a volunteer mentor for Down to Earth you will have the privilege of supporting vulnerable people at the most difficult time in their lives. It's a powerful experience that is sure to challenge your world view.

Our mentoring provides a unique opportunity to develop a broad range of transferable skills in communication, support and event planning. We provide full support from a team of end-of-life care professionals. Our mentors also benefit from full training over four days.

If you want to know more, please read our information sheet.

Partners and referral agencies

Clients can access the service by contacting Down to Earth directly or we accept referrals from partner agencies. Do please speak to us if you would like to refer a client and want more information about becoming a partner agency.

The first stage of the process is to check out a person's eligibility for the service. For many people and cultures there is a limited amount of time to work in between the death and the funeral. Due to the time constraints involved please call Lawrence or Shaun on 020 8983 5055 as soon as possible. Our Down to Earth referral form can be completed and returned to us at the email address listed on the form.

To find out more about our partnerships and referral process please read our information sheet.

"St Joseph's Hospice are acutely aware of the complexities of assisting people to avoid getting into financial debt when arranging funerals whilst maintaining loved ones last wishes, and unfortunately we often see people who have already signed contracts which are beyond their financial reach.

However, knowing that we can refer bereaved people to the project means that we are confident that these people will be treated with respect and dignity, and empowered to make choices when arranging funerals to avoid debt if possible, and ultimately less people will be facing financial crisis in the future.