Telephone us during the week and we will speak to you directly or else we aim to return your call within 24 hours. We are not staffed at weekends however. When you call, some preliminary details will be taken and you will be invited to come for an assessment session with a bereavement volunteer. This will last around an hour and take place at our office in Eltham. If you require a home-visit, this can be arranged although it will take longer to organise. An assessment is a one-off session in which we find out about your bereavement and how it is affecting you - and whether Cruse is the best place for you right now. If you are happy with how this session goes we will put you on a waiting list to see a bereavement volunteer.

It is likely you will have to wait a few weeks before a volunteer is assigned to you for regular sessions. However, our reception staff will keep in touch by letter from time to time to let you know you are still on the list. And of course you are more than welcome to telephone us during this period.