Call Taking Volunteers
Role Description
As a Bath Nightline volunteer, you will be trained to provide support to anonymous callers via telephone, email and our instant messaging service.
Our support is non-judgemental and non-directive, so we won’t show you how to give advice to callers; instead you will learn how to be present with callers, by just listening, which often helps them work through their problems themselves, or at least feel some relief from feeling they can speak to somebody.
We try to consistently review the performance of our volunteers to ensure we are always providing the best possible service we can.
As a volunteer, we will provide you with ongoing training and support, hosting many development opportunities throughout the year, opportunities to progress and take on more senior roles as you gain experience, and the chance to serve as a member of the Nightline committee.
We are looking for volunteers who share the same enthusiasm as our current volunteers to join the Nightline team.
No previous experience is necessary working as part of a telephone service, or other helpline and volunteers can be from any degree discipline.
Essential Skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Ability to show empathy and understanding
- Excellent level of spoken English and be able to speak very clearly (this is very important!)
- Desire to provide empathetic support for others
- Dependable and will always keep to their word
Commitment
Like every society we do require you to give your time on a regular basis and we ask that our volunteers sign up for a minimum of one shift every three weeks. Beds are provided for all volunteers whilst on duty, so don’t worry you will still be able to sleep and complete your work!
How to apply
To become a volunteer with us, you must attend and pass our training weekend. We hold two training weekends a year, usually one in October and one in February. Please contact the training officers if you are interested or have any queries or concerns at training@bath.nightline.ac.uk
Comments from some of our current volunteers
