Volunteer with us

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do here at Lifeline. Our hard working team of volunteers make up approximately 70% of our workforce across all areas of crisis support, counselling, retail and warehousing, community engagement and fundraising.

Our volunteer’s contribution, passion and commitment mean that LLD are able to raise funds and provide support to those in our communities that seek our help during their darkest moments.

Interested in joining our team as a volunteer in one of the following areas?

Face to Face Counselling

JOIN OUR TEAM OF COUNSELLORS

Lifeline Direct offers Personal counselling to the community so that more people can access the help they need. The service is highly reliant on the support of volunteer counsellors who generously give their time to make this service possible.

Volunteer counsellors must have the qualifications outlined below and be willing to commit to volunteering one day per week for a minimum of two years on completion of the course, as well as participate in on going supervision and professional development.

YOUR COMMITMENT

Training is a 6-10 week commitment (based on previous experience and competency) before commencing client sessions.

Counsellors accepted into Lifeline's training are required to participate in a 2 day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Course, a 1-day Foundations of trauma training, as well as a number of hours of specialised training. Training is provided by nationally recognised external providers and is of high quality.

We ask for a two year commitment volunteering one day per week minimum, following completion of the course.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Eligibility for membership of a professional counselling association affiliated with PACFA (e.g. ACA).

Minimum of 3 years tertiary training in counselling OR Minimum of a 3 year degree in Psychology with electives in Counselling and Abnormal Psychology.

ALTERNATIVELY - Minimum of a 3 year degree in Social Work with electives in Mental Health and Counselling OR Minimum of 1 year counselling experience or deemed equivalent, validated by references.

BENEFITS YOU WILL RECEIVE

Nationally recognised high quality training and education
Participation in Lifeline's ASIST Training
Participation in Lifeline's Mental Health First Aid training
A broad spectrum of experience working with a diverse range of clients
Individual and group based support, including debriefing in person and by phone
Working with and learning from experienced counsellors who are ready to share their knowledge through group supervision
Being part of a valuable team supporting people in our local community
Working to fill service gaps with real clients, real issues and real situations.

FACE TO FACE COUNSELLOR TRAINING COURSE

Please read all instructions below before registering your interest in volunteering as a Face to Face Counsellor.

TRAINING COMMENCES: Next Course Date is To Be Advised

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS: Newcastle, Central Coast and Armidale

Selection & Training:

Applicants will need to be available for ALL selection days, training days and ASIST training listed below.
The Selection and Training will ALL be undertaken at the Lifeline Central Coast office.

Please note that to be selected for the role you MUST BE available for ALL training days and/or evenings:

Completion of the training courses does not automatically mean membership of the Lifeline Counselling and Psychology Service. This will depend on competence and suitability. After successful completion of the course there will be a three months probationary period in order for applicants to become fully approved Lifeline counsellors.

How to Apply:

Please forward a covering letter addressing what the position requires, along with your resume to

[email protected] stating the volunteer position you would like to apply for in the subject line: e.g. Application – LLD Volunteer Face to Face Counsellor.

For further enquiries please email [email protected] and your enquiry will be directed to the relevant person.

The successful candidates may be required to satisfactorily undergo a pre-employment Medical Assessment (where applicable) and agree to a National Criminal History Record Check.

Crisis Supporter

YOUR COMMITMENT
The course is a 8-10 week commitment, followed by compulsory supervision and professional development training. Participants are required to attend all training dates to comply.

As this course is offered at a highly subsidised rate, we ask for a two-year commitment as a volunteer to Lifeline Telephone Crisis Support following completion of the course.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Lifeline Direct provides this training on behalf of Lifeline Australia RTO 88036, complies with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations(RTO) 2015.

The CSWT course comprises nationally recognised Units of Competency, which is designed to train Lifeline Telephone Crisis Supporters.

BENEFITS YOU WILL RECEIVE

To be a Lifeline Accredited Crisis Supporter the minimum requirement is a Statement of Attainment in the three CSWT Units of Competency:

CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCCS028 Provide client-centred support to people in crisis

To obtain these units of competency this course consists of 3 phases over a 12 month period as outlined in the CSWT Pathway.

THE COST - $550.00

The course cost $550.00 (Inc GST) which is paid (in full) after attendance of the orientation day and once accepted into the course, but prior to the commencement of the first day of training.

(The financial value of the course is highly subsidised, total value approx $4,200).

VOLUNTEER CRISIS SUPPORTER TRAINING

Training Courses 2021

Next Course Commencing: 2021 - DATE TBA

If accepted into the course, attendance is compulsory for all training dates and times allocated (please arrive 10 minutes early to settle in prior to every session). Topics overed over the course are: