Helpline Volunteer

Purpose of the role:

To provide telephone support in a professional, woman-centred, and empathetic way to people who have experience rape and/or sexual violence.

What you will be doing:

·      Attend initial training in awareness and skills for the role – All sessions must be attended

·      Commit to a minimum of two helpline shifts per month, taking calls and returning calls to women

·      Provide listening support, information and take referrals

·      Complete paperwork and records for each call

·      Engage with post-shift debriefs

·      Attend external supervision (this is compulsory at least every two months)

·      Attend additional training for your role

·      Regularly check messages to volunteers, including by email

Skills, experience, and qualities needed:

·      Commitment to feminism and woman-centred working

·      Empathetic, non-judgemental, and non-discriminatory manner

·      Ability to work well in a team and support co-workers

·      Commitment to the aims of GRASAC

·      Excellent telephone communication skills (these can be learned during training; comfort on the telephone is beneficial)

·      Excellent timekeeping

When and where:

·      Two shifts (2 hours each) per month on the helpline

·      Attendance at monthly support & supervision meetings (bi-monthly as a minimum)

·      Attendance at volunteer forum meetings (usually quarterly)

·      Helpline volunteering will take place at GRASAC’s office and/or remotely by divert (if appropriate)

Support offered:

• Debrief with other volunteers / staff at the end of every shift

·      Quarterly volunteer forum meetings

·      Monthly group supervision sessions

·      Six-monthly 1:1 support with Community Engagement and Training Officer

·      On-going informal support from the Community Engagement and Training Officer, Service Manager and other volunteers and staff

·      Termly CPD / Training Offered

Benefits you can gain from working with us:

·     Be part of a feminist organisation

·      Learn new skills, particularly listening skills 

·      Develop awareness and understanding around sexual violence and rape

·      Opportunity to support women who have experienced sexual violence

·      Be part of a team of volunteers

·      Opportunities for further training, and expanding knowledge

·      Opportunities to take on further roles if desired

·      Gain an accredited Level 2 qualification: Understanding and Working with Sexual Violence, subject to full attendance on initial training course, satisfactory completion of coursework and probationary period of 6 months.

·      All reasonable out of pocket expenses paid

To apply, please click 'Join' and you will be asked a short question. We will then be in touch to discuss the next steps with you.