Helpline volunteer needed to support women and children fleeing domestic violence

Support volunteers needed for Berkshire Women’s Aid

BWA provides a range of services to enable people in situations of domestic abuse to make choices about their future and to rebuild their lives.

We are offering a great opportunity for a helpline volunteer to support women and children fleeing domestic violence.

After comprehensive training and with support from a supervisor, responsibilities will include:

  • To participate in answering helpline calls responding to women and families experiencing domestic violence.
  • To listen and assess each call individually to ensure the support and assistance given to callers is appropriate and of the highest standard.
  • To provide support and information to professionals calling the Helpline and liaise with agencies on behalf of callers as necessary.
  • Updating national website with refuge space availability.
  • Performing a range of administrative tasks and undertakes efficient handover and debriefing after each shift e.g. update on relevant information and issues are passed on.

Volunteers for this role will need to have an understanding of the issues faced by our client group, demonstrate a mature, empathic and non-judgemental attitude to service users and possess good communication skills. The ability to respect and maintain confidentiality is essential.

More information and a full role description and person specification available on request.

For the mutual benefit of our clients and volunteers we ask that those interested in this role will be in a position to make a minimum 6 month commitment.

Contact person firstname
Vickie
Lastname
Pitchforth
Contact person's position
Volunteer Coordinator
Their phone number?
07824 329 683
Contact instructions?
Please email in the first instance

Location description
Close to Central Reading
Wheelchair accessible?
Not specified
Car parking for the volunteer?
Not specified
Secure bicycle parking?
Yes
Near public transport?
Yes
How much time?
A few hours a week
What times and days of the week?
Mon AMMon PMTue AMTue PMWed AMWed PMThu AMThu PMFri AMFri PM
Availability required
Any of these times
Additional timing details
We are looking for someone who could give up to 2 full days a week after training.
Task type?
Support
Will suit someone like this:
Enjoys variety and changeKeen learnerSerious and determinedPatientSupportiveCommunicator
Post suitable for supported volunteering?
Not specified
Is training given?
Yes
Training description
Training will consist of an introduction to BWA and its work, professional boundaries, domestic violence and access to relevant E-learning resources.
Is support given?
Yes
Description of support
Volunteers will report to a named supervisor
Are expenses paid?
Yes
Description of expenses
Travel expenses and lunch allowance will be paid
Will I need my own transportation?
No
Will the volunteer be CRB or DBS checked?
Yes
Are references required?
Yes
Will there be an interview?
Yes
Are they properly insured?
Yes
Minimum age
18
Do they need a specific gender?
Female
How many volunteers needed?
3
Opportunity added on
13 February 2017