Support Line Volunteer

VOLUNTEER TITLE: Support Line Volunteer   

LOCATION: Home Working

LINE MANAGER: Volunteer Programme Manager                                                                        

Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) works in partnership with Rape Crisis England and Wales on the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line. Support line volunteers provide telephone support, information and signposting to survivors of sexual violence aged 16+ across the country. We are open 24 hours a day. Shifts are 3 hours long and volunteers can choose which shift to sign up to, to fit in around any other commitments. We provide all our volunteers with an accredited training course from the Open College Network. The post is open to female applicants only as the role is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Responsibilities and duties:   

1.               Provide telephone support and information to callers on the support line, including survivors of sexual violence, family/friends/partners of survivors and other professionals.   

2.               Provide empathic, non-judgemental and boundaried support at all times.   

3.               Signpost callers to local specialist services.   

4.               Complete basic administration during the shift.   

5.               Debrief with Support Line Workers after every shift.   

6.               Communicate issues or concerns in timely manner to Volunteer Programme Manager.

7.               Attend monthly supervision support sessions.   

8.               Attend quarterly support line meetings and CPD training   

9.               To uphold Rape Crisis South London’s (RCSL) Confidentiality Agreement.   

10.            Follow RCSL’s policies, practices, standards and ethics.    

The commitment we ask of you:   

1.     Volunteer for RCSL for at least 1 year after completion of your training and 3-month probation period.   

2.     Volunteer on the support line for a minimum of 4 times per month and sign up for shifts at least a month in advance.    

3.     Volunteer for at least one bank holiday, and four weekend shifts per year.   

4.     Attend monthly supervision at an agreed time.      

The commitment we make to you:   

1.     We will provide you with Open College Network accredited training, which will fully equip you to give high-quality support to survivors.   

2.     We will mentor and support you throughout your volunteering journey with us.    

3.     We will communicate respectfully and always value your opinions, thoughts and experiences.    

4.     We will come together in the fight to end violence against women.    

Support line volunteers are crucial to the running of the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line. Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with us.