Volunteering

Volunteering

Our volunteers are a very valuable part of our organisation and without them functioning as a service would be difficult. We usually recruit on an annual basis and we will now be looking for new volunteers in 2011.

Volunteer Counsellors: Those looking to take up a placement as a face to face Counsellor must hold a recognised counselling qualification at Diploma or Degree level as well as successfully completing our own training, before beginning work as a Centre volunteer Counsellor.

Telephone Support Volunteer: A counselling qualification is not essential for those interested in offering telephone support but would be welcomed. Our training provides skills and knowledge to those offering telephone support on our help-line. Although no previous experience is required for telephone support we are looking for people who can be empathetic, non-judgmental and accepting of any situation that a woman may find herself in.

Counselling Student Placements: We offer a small number of student placements to those on counselling courses, however, to be in a position to offer face to face counselling, students must be studying in the final year of their degree or diploma course, this is a minimum requirement. Tutor references will be required to comment on a student’s suitability to begin face to face work, theoretical understanding and counselling skills proficiency. Please note that we are unable to agree to client material being used for case study assignments. However the Centre offers a supportive learning and mentoring environment for all its volunteers and clinical supervision with highly qualified and experienced external supervisors.

All volunteers invited to work with the Centre must have successfully completed our initial training irrespective of prior experience or counselling qualification.

Who can volunteer?
RASACC operates a policy of equal opportunities and welcomes applications to volunteer from women from all walks of life. We only accept applications from females due to the sensitive nature of our work and the fact that the overwhelming majority of our callers are women who only want to speak to another female. We require volunteers to be aged over 18.

How do I take the first step to becoming a volunteer?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like more information, please contact the Centre on 01325 354119 or email us at: rsacc.dton@virgin.net. If you wish to attend our next Induction Workshop we will take you name and contact details so that we can inform you of the date in 2011.

What we offer you?
- Comprehensive training.
- A supportive environment in which to develop
new skills.
- Challenging but rewarding experiences.
- Access to a professional supervisor as part of our
Volunteer care provision.
- Access to on-going training.

What we ask of you?
We ask for a minimum commitment of approximately 10 hours per month.

CRB Checks
As we work with vulnerable people, we require volunteers to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check. Should you have a criminal record it will not automatically prevent you from volunteering with us and any arrangements made to accommodate this fact will depend on the offence.

Job Vacancy within RSACC - 1 year post, closing date for applicants 29th Feb 2012

Details of the 1-year Volunteer Co-ordinator post can be found in the News section of the website. Closing date 29th February 2012....
Read more »

Community Award Winner!

Lynne Hinde, the CEO, has won a Durham Police Authority Community Award in the 'Caring' Category. Thank you to Jenny Chapman MP for the nomination. Congratulations, Lynne, on a well deserved accolade!...
Read more »

Thank you isn't enough... I cannot put into words just how much you have changed my life around, I can now see light at the end of the tunnel