ADVICE, INFORMATION & COUNSELLING VOLUNTEERING

If you are looking for challenging voluntary work, possibly to include a training course, then this area of volunteering is for you. Expect to commit to at least 3 hours a week . Training courses usually take place when there are sufficient new volunteers to make it viable - so you may have to wait a few weeks (or months) before you can get started. If you are approaching retirement it's probably worth making enquiries now to avoid delays when you have more time on your hands.

TELEPHONE HELPLINES
There are local helplines which support people in a variety of situations - Parentline, Family Violence Helpline, Samaritans, Child Death Helpline to name but a few.
Essential skills required for helplines are:-

• being a good listener
• not being judgmental

Expertise in dealing with particular client groups will be gained through the training courses. Some helplines are home based.

FACE TO FACE INFORMATION & ADVICE
Organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureaux rely heavily on the input of volunteer advisers who assist callers to the Bureaux by offering information and advice over a very wide range of topics - from welfare benefits to consumer rights, and employment law to tenants rights. Volunteers aren't expected to be experts in everything, but are trained so that they know where to find the relevant information and how to interpret it.

SUPPORT
All of us require support and understanding when we are faced with a particular problem - whether it be during a neighborhood dispute, just after a burglary or after a death of someone close. These circumstances are hopefully rare in our lives, but at the time we need someone on hand with the necessary experience and knowledge to see us through. Volunteers trained to support others are needed by Victim Support, Mediation Dacorum etc. Training courses take place at roughly 6 monthly intervals.

ADVOCACY
Helping less abled people gain access to information and the services they require can be very satisfying. Advocates offer to support and to speak up on behalf of the people they help, voicing their wishes as necessary. This type of volunteering is particularly found in organisations working with elderly people or people with learning disabilities.

COUNSELLING
Many people look to the voluntary sector to provide them with placements as part of counselling courses. In our area of Hertfordshire this is not an easy request to meet. Organisations such as Relate (was Marriage Guidance) train their own counsellors and for many other groups, volunteers can use counselling skills but the activity could not be described as counselling.

Don't forget:
Volunteering can increase your skills and help you in your own life.
Could it make a difference to your CV?

Interested in Time to Time Volunteering?

Need some help to get started - extra support needs?

Click here to find your ideal voluntary job