Volunteer

Description

About Us:
Text About It 50808 is a first of its kind for Ireland: a free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis - big or small.
From breakups or bullying, to anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings, our Crisis Volunteers are available 24/7 for anonymous text conversations. Our aim is to provide immediate support in the short term and connect people to resources that will help them in the future. The service is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Tasks:
Our Volunteers support our texters to our 24/7 free crisis text line, via their laptops from the comfort of their homes. 50808 is a text-based non-judgemental listening service. Texters reach out from all around Ireland, about everything from being at the height of a panic attack, being bullied at school, having relationship issues, and experiencing suicidal thoughts. Our volunteers provide a safe space for texters to express and explore how they are feeling and support them to reach a point of calm. Min Hours: Training 30 hours over 6 weeks, then a 2-4 hour commitment per week as a volunteer.

During the training you will:

• Learn key skills such as; active listening, how to risk assess for suicide, and crisis management and how to utilise these skills in a text based service.
• Access certified training such as the Children’s First certificate and the HSE Land LGBTQIA+ Awarness and Inclusion training. You will also receive specific training that has been developed in conjunction with Pavee Point, on how to support members of the Traveller community.
  
  As a volunteer you will:
• Support texters through moments of crisis by responding to text messages via a secure platform on your laptop in a non-judgmental way.
• Become part of a volunteer community with 300 volunteers
• Have opportunities to continue to develop your skills and further learning.
  
  Volunteers master the skills to show empathy through text, create a solid self-care routine and join a community of volunteers from across the country. The communication approaches explored in the training programme and used with texters are transferable to other situations while the peer-to-peer learning and support between volunteers and supervisors means Crisis Volunteers, just like the texters, are never alone.
  
  The ask:
• We ask that our volunteers commit to volunteering for 200 hours with us. This can be achieved through a 2 x 2 hour shift each week for 1 year, or 1 x 2 hour shift per week for two years. Though of course, we hope you stay longer.
• Volunteers can choose the times and days that they take their shifts, any time day or night, weekday or weekend. We are currently looking for volunteers for all shifts. 
  
  Volunteer Training & Induction
  Our volunteers complete a 30 hour, online, self-paced training course over the space of 6 weeks.
  
  Benefits to Students:
  We offer personalised references for those who meet the volunteering commitment. Certified training to boost CVs and the development of transferable skills. Potential for placement opportunities (subject to resources). 
  
  Link to volunteer:
  Read about volunteering with us here
  
  Signup here:
  Sign up link here

Is training provided?: Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position which will be processed with you after you apply.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

As a volunteer you will:

• Support texters through moments of crisis by responding to text messages via a secure platform on your laptop in a non-judgmental way.
• Become part of a volunteer community with 300 volunteers
• Have opportunities to continue to develop your skills and further learning.

Skills required for this role:

Fluent English

Be able to meet the time commitment

Suits people who can consistently give time per week.  

Details of time commitment needed for role:
As we are a 24/7 service, Volunteers can choose any time of day or night for their shifts.

Minimum time commitment per week:
2 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Application form - takes about 30 mins to fill in. Two references required, do not have to be professional.