Helpline & Text Volunteers

Hours:   
Part Time – 3.5 hours a week on either Monday or Thursday evenings; plus, additional training/supervision as required 

Location:   
Bristol (we will also be recruiting remote volunteers in 2025, so please do get in touch if you're further afield) 

Details of role: 

If you are looking for a rewarding, meaningful role and a new challenge, this is the opportunity for you. Self Injury Support has been supporting people affected by self-harm, trauma, and distress for over 30 years and we are looking for new volunteers to help us continue offering these vital support services.  

Our wonderful team of Support Service Volunteers provide valuable non-judgmental support to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds via our helpline, text, webchat, email and letter-writing services.

We are looking for anyone who wants to offer meaningful support, who can listen with empathy and an understanding that everyone’s situation is personal and unique. We are keen to recruit volunteers who are flexible, adaptable and open to new learning experiences.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and life experiences. You may have your own experiences of self injury or mental ill health or be keen to learn more about how to support others through these experiences.  

You don’t need previous helpline or counselling experience, just an open mind, a commitment to the role, and a willingness to learn.  

Why volunteer?  

• Participate in a training programme delivered by staff with a wealth of experience and expertise in self-injury and related issues  

• Develop valuable skills and knowledge in active listening, self-injury, trauma, mental health, and many more topics  
• Meet supportive, like-minded peers on shift, as well as at volunteer days where you'll receive additional relevant training  

What’s it like being a volunteer? 

• When you join our team, you’ll take part in our training course. The training is a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and learn the valuable skills you’ll take with you into the work. Our training covers experiential listening skills, self-injury, supporting suicidal callers, understanding the impact of trauma and abuse, mental health awareness, and reflective practice.  
• You can choose which service you’d like to join and will receive further training in how to support people via your chosen platform. 
• Once you’ve started on the service, you’ll either answer calls, texts, webchats, letters or emails from people across the UK and offer them confidential emotional support. The work can be emotional but highly rewarding.  
• Each month, you’ll meet your personal supervisor for a free 1:1 supervision session. Here, you’ll have a safe and confidential space to reflect on the work and its impact on you and talk through any issues.  

What Happens Now? 

• Once you've filled in our Interest Form we'll contact you for a chat and to discuss next steps.
• We require all volunteers to attend our small group training courses, there will be a general skills training course followed by breakout groups. To learn the skills specific to your chosen service. We can discuss your availability when we meet.  

Practical Details 

• Our main office is Central Bristol. There are good public transport links and parking nearby 
• We regret that the premises is not wheelchair accessible. We can offer our preliminary chat over the phone and discuss any adjustments we could make for more flexible roles. 
• We ask that volunteers commit to 6 months to a year on the service after completion of training. 
• Due to the nature of our women –only nights, roles on those nights are only open to self-identifying women and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010 

• An Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for this role which will be paid for by Self Injury Support 

Closing Date:  
20/10/2024

Contact Person:  

Jess Puplett/Sian Rance/Modge Sullivan