About this role
Our free FamilyLine service provides family members over the age of 18 with emotional support and guidance, through a national network of volunteers who respond to telephone calls, email, web chat and text messages.
Volunteers in this home-based role receive comprehensive training, and a member of staff is always on hand to provide further support during every shift.
What is the time commitment?
This role is for 2 hours per week approximately. Minimum commitment for 12 Months.
Who will you be helping?
Adults, Families, Individuals or families living with additional needs, Parents
Family pressures can sometimes be difficult to manage without emotional support and guidance to help. Many people feel confused by what information is available or struggle to access services close to home. People contact FamilyLine for many reasons, including parenting challenges, hardship, isolation, relationship breakdown, domestic abuse, immigration, education, disability and additional needs.
FamilyLine Volunteers are on hand to listen, give support, and signpost callers to services that can help with the situation.
Some FamilyLine Volunteers also provide one to one weekly telephone support to service users through Befriending sessions.
What difference will you make?
FamilyLine volunteers can make a huge difference to the lives of families and individuals.
For some who contact the service, being listened to and feeling heard is enough to help them get through a tough situation. Others may be looking for support with a particular issue, and volunteers are able to signpost them to services providing the help they need.
Who are we looking for?
We need volunteers who’ve gained these skills and attributes through their own personal or working life experiences:
- Good computer skills will help, but we provide full training on how to use our online system
- Ability to quickly develop and sustain trusting relationships
- Non-judgmental and accepting of difference
- Friendly and reliable
- Be able to demonstrate empathy
- Ability to manage own and others emotions
- Emotionally mature
- Able to demonstrate commitment, reliability and consistency
- Demonstrate resilience and the ability to remain calm in times of stress
- Demonstrate good listening and communication skills
- Ability to understand the experiences of others
- A desire to help individuals to gain coping skills to better manage stressful situations relating to family life
- To be open to challenge and to be able to challenge while maintaining trust and relationships
FamilyLine volunteers need to have a computer, a mobile phone, and access to the internet at home.
What's in it for you?
Family Action volunteers tell us that volunteering with us can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding to know they are making a positive difference in the lives of others.
As a FamilyLine volunteer, you will also benefit from:
- Induction training to develop your knowledge and skills before you begin volunteering.
- Being part of a virtual team
- Ongoing support and guidance from skilled volunteer coordinators including regular supervision and debriefs
- The opportunity to be involved in group work, gaining further skills and knowledge
- The opportunity to build a portfolio of your training, skills, experience and qualities.
- The opportunity to take part in workshops to further your understanding and knowledge on a range of subjects including domestic abuse and violence, mental health and child development.
All Family Action volunteers receive full training and access to ongoing supervision and support as long as they are in the role. For FamilyLine, this includes full training on the use of our online system, and in the skills and knowledge needed to offer the right support to those who contact the service.
How can you find out more?
You may like to chat with a member of staff about whether this is the right role for you, or you may be ready to apply right now.
Either way, just click the ‘I’m interested’ button below to leave your contact details, and a member of staff will be in touch to discuss your next steps in becoming a Family Action volunteer.
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