Lifeline offers 24/7 Phone, Text and chat Service to the Australian community, and this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of volunteers. Our volunteers give their time, energy and expertise generously to achieve our Vision of an Australia free of suicide, so that no person has to face their darkest moments alone. Lifeline is truly grateful for the support of our volunteers.
Crisis Support volunteering may be right for you if you are close to a Lifeline Centre in Geelong, Warrnambool or our soon-to-be open centre in St-Albans.
What does a Crisis Supporter do?
- Train - Once accepted, you will complete training to become a qualified Crisis Supporter
- Respond - You will respond to people in need of support via phone, from your local Lifeline Centre
- Listen - You will listen to what’s going on for the person who has contacted you, hear their story and sit with their distress
- Empower - You will support the person to identify their next steps and encourage them to generate and own the action. If needed, you will create a safety plan with them.
How does Crisis Support training work?
Crisis Supporters commit to volunteering four hours per fortnight at their local Lifeline Centre. You’ll also complete a training period to give you all the expertise you will need to navigate crisis intervention successfully and empathetically.
What you’ll need to be a Phone Crisis Supporter volunteer
- Commitment to completing training and supporting others
- Transport to and from your nearest Lifeline Centre
- A minimum of four hours per fortnight available to volunteer
- Competent computer skills
- Student contribution towards training costs.
"Out of all the things I do in my life, Lifeline is the one I am most proud of. Giving back to the community and connecting with people in crisis is very meaningful." Christina, Lifeline Telephone Crisis Supporter.
Read our helpful blog posts all about becoming a crisis supporter with Lifeline below.