CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE SCOTLAND

That this House marks Volunteers Week 2016, by recognising the invaluable service to grieving Scots of Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland (CBCS), which is only able to fully function thanks to its loyal and highly-trained 350 volunteers; notes that their commitment means that more than 4,000 people in Scotland every year are supported through the grief and pain of bereavement which, without help, can lead to stress, illness and time off work; further notes that in all, Cruse Scotland volunteers' contribution adds up to more than 34,000 hours of support every year, with an economic value of more than £1 million functioning as an accessible front-line that prevents people needing to make use of the NHS and social care; and notes that it offers a wide range of services, including work with children and young people and in schools, remains an international pioneer in the development of evidence-based practice in the voluntary sector counselling context and provides volunteers with skills and training that they can apply within a wide range of work and community settings in addition to their role within CBCS.