Volunteer with us

Volunteer for Lifeline North West NSW

We can't do it without you. Together we can make a difference.

Last year Lifeline North West NSW made a difference to 4,000 callers from our community.
To keep our 24 hour 7 day per week service going we need the support of caring and committed volunteer telephone counsellors.

Could you be a Volunteer Telephone Counsellor for Lifeline?

We offer:

• A journey of self discovery and development
• A training course of 60 hours of theory and practice plus a supervised probationary period
• The opportunity to participate in a unique form of community service
• Ongoing supervision and support within a community of friendly, committed people.

We ask:

• A contribution of $200 toward the cost of the training program
• An ongoing commitment of 8 hours per month for a minimum of one year from the date of accreditation as a Telephone Counsellor

We asked our current counsellors what they liked best about volunteering for Lifeline. Here's the top five responses:

1. Job satisfaction, making a difference, helping people, filling a need
2. Belonging, the team, friendships, people at Lifeline
3. Caller interaction and appreciation
4. Relaxed, safe, caring environment
5. Improving skills and self development

For more information about our service or to express interest in applying to become a Lifeline Counsellor ring our friendly staff during business hours on 02 6765 6172.

Non-Counselling Volunteers are also welcome as Friends of Lifeline and may assist with administration, publicity, fundraising, gardening, catering and general support of the service. Ring 02 6765 6172 during business hours to discuss this further if you think you might be interested.

The Lifeline Shops Tamworth & Armidale, are always on the lookout for new volunteers. Phone 02 6765 6114 for more information on how to become a Lifeline Shop Volunteer.

Interview with Katie* a Lifeline Volunteer Telephone Counsellor
* Katie is not the volunteer's real name. Lifeline volunteers are anonymous.

How long have you been a Lifeline Volunteer?
I joined in 1996, when our children had left home and at that stage of my life I was wondering what I might be able to do that was somehow worthwhile.

What made you choose to volunteer at Lifeline?
Well, I felt I wanted to give something back to the community. I felt that Lifeline Counselling might be something I could do and that I might be able to help other people who are in trouble. I don't have any qualifications or anything like that. I left school when I was 16, but I thought maybe I could listen to people. My family and friends always say they could talk to me about anything.

Well you've been a Lifeline Volunteer for over 11 years now. Do you still enjoy it?
I certainly enjoy it when I feel that I've helped someone through a crisis; I really feel like I may have helped to make a difference. But I get a lot of other things from being part of Lifeline. I really feel a part of a fantastic team and I have made some really good friends. Some of the people that I first trained with are still involved with Lifeline, and we have regular get-togethers. Last week we all went for a meal, and then went to the movies. It's a great feeling to be a part of something like that. I've also had the opportunity to do training and I feel I've come a long way, just in my own personal development.

Many people think that Lifeline is only about people ringing if they want to commit suicide. Is that how it is?
That's certainly one of the reasons people ring us. In fact though, it's only a small part of the calls we take. Most of our calls are about relationships, and some calls are from lonely people who just need someone to talk to.

Is there anything you don't enjoy about being a Lifeline volunteer?
Some of the calls are very sad, and those ones make me feel very sad for the caller, but we have an excellent support system. Someone is always available 24 hours a day to listen to us, if we are upset by a call.

Can you tell me about a call that made you very sad?
No, not really. We are bound by a strict code of confidentiality, so we can't talk about any of the calls that we take, not even to people we know well.

If someone wanted to become a part of Lifeline what should they do?
Well first I think they should call the Lifeline office on 02 6765 6172 and speak to the friendly staff. I would heartily recommend to anyone, who feels they have something to give, to join Lifeline as a volunteer. It's been an amazing journey for me.

Thank you very much Katie* and keep up the wonderful work that you do.

Donate to Lifeline

Lifeline North West NSW is grateful for the support of its army of volunteers, and for the generosity of its sponsors and donors. Without this help, Lifeline could not continue to provide its valuable service to our local community.

Lifeline North West NSW currently receives funding of approximately 15% of its operating costs from the State and Federal Governments per annum. The remainder of the income required must be obtained from such avenues as gifts, fundraising, trusts, grants and from the Lifeline shop.

Donations

Lifeline North West NSW is indebted to its generous supporters whose contributions support the vital role that Lifeline plays in the health and wellbeing of the people of the North, North West and New England regions. An Annual Appeal will be held in May each year, however donations are most welcome at any time.

Donations may be posted to PO Box 3073 West Tamworth  NSW  2340. All donations are acknowledged and those over $2 are tax deductable.

We thank also, the numerous individuals whose support we are unable to acknowledge within this site.

Lifeline Services

Telephone Counselling

Lifeline North West NSW is the major provider of accessible and affordable telephone counselling in the North, North West and New England regions of New South Wales. Its mission is to:

• Provide a quality 24 hour confidential telephone counselling and referral service;
• Promote a caring, nurturing and supportive environment for callers, volunteers and staff; and
• Develop appropriate community understanding and support of the needs of individuals and groups through education and training.

Recruitment

Lifeline North West NSW currently has no staffing vacancies.

Volunteers are always welcome to apply to join our service as:

• Volunteer telephone counsellors
• Friends of Lifeline North West NSW
• Lifeline Shop volunteers

Phone 02 6765 6172 or email lifelinetamworth@bigpond.com for further information.

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer telephone counsellor?

Lifeline North West NSW needs to recruit new telephone counsellors each year to maintain a quality service to people in need.

In May 2009, Lifeline North West NSW will be offering courses in Tamworth and Armidale.  To register your interest or to get an application form, please telephone Lifeline North West NSW on 6765 6172 or email: lynne@lifelinetamworth.com.au

Shop Volunteers

Do you and your friends have some free time that you would like to make good use of?  Lifeline North West NSW is calling for much needed shop volunteers and drivers.

What does being a shop volunteer involve?

• Lifeline has two shops in Tamworth & Armidale.
• Shop Volunteers work as part of a large team in a happy environment.
• Days and times of volunteering are very flexible and work around the needs of those volunteering.
• Volunteers can receive training I retail skills, sorting, pricing and stock merchandising.
• Volunteers are fully insured and receive training in OH&S.
• Why not pop into one of our shops and have a look around.  Try asking one of our volunteers what it’s like to volunteer for Lifeline.

Here’s what some of our Shop Volunteer have said about working for Lifeline . . . .

• It’s a great means of building self-esteem and self-confidence.
• I’ve learnt new skills and developed many friendships.
• It’s been my pathway to enhancing my work experience.
• My health has improved and I’m far more active.
• It’s a way to meet new [people and broaden your social set.
• I do it to make a real difference in someone else’s life.
• I use it as a way of expressing my gratitude for help I received in the past.
• It’s an opportunity to support a cause I feel strongly about.
• I feel needed and valued, that is very satisfying in itself.
• I believe I’m making a difference within my community.

Business Services

Donating clothing and goods

If it's too good to throw away, think again and give Lifeline North West NSW a call!

We operate two Lifeline Shops one in Tamworth and Armidale at:

3 Hill Street Tamworth
82 Rusden Street Armidale

We have more than 10 collection bins conveniently located throughout the region.

Many of the donations we receive can't always be recycled due to their poor quality. So think twice before you donate. If it's not good enough to keep, then throw it away at the tip not the Lifeline collection bin.

How do you donate?

Either deliver your clothing or goods to a Lifeline Shop near you, arrange a collection by calling 6766 3114 or leave your goods inside one of our collection bins. Never leave items unattended outside a shop or bin as they will spoil.

Please note that in some instances, because of government regulations, we may be unable to accept some items. Please call us on 6766 3114 to check with us if you are unsure.

All of the proceeds from donated goods support Lifeline's 24 hour telephone counselling service.

Links

Lifeline's services related websites

Resources for individuals, professionals, families and communities.

Lifeline International
Lifeline provides a mantle of compassion, linking people with people and country with country.

Lifeline Service Finder
A comprehensive database of low cost or free health and community services offered throughout Australia.

Living Works / Suicide Prevention
A suicide prevention scheme, auspiced by Lifeline Australia.

Other Useful Websites

Attention Deficit Disorder, Parenting South Australia
Helping parents be their best.

Auseinet
Australian network for promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health.

Beyond Blue
An Australia site with information on depression.

BluePages Information on Depression
Information about depression for consumers, produced by the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University, CSIRO Mathematical & Information Sciences with the assistance of an advisory board.

Carers Australia
Supporting information for carers including parents, families, teachers, friends, and professional carers of people with disacility and mental illness.

Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression
A group of researchers and clinicians concerned with anxiety and depression. The website provides self help information and facts about mental illness such as depression, panic attacks and anxiety.

Headroom
Formerly known as Partnership with Young People Project (PYPP), a South Australian mental health promotion project managed by the Division of Mental Health, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide. This website aims to inform young people, their caregivers and service providers about positive mental health.

Health Insite
A portal to mental health issues.

Kids Helpline
A national telephone counselling service for young people aged between 5-18 years. Free call - 1800 55 1800.

LivingWorks Education, Inc (Canada)

MoodGYM
Training programs about cognitive behaviour therapy for preventing depression.

Multicultural Mental Health Australia
Multicultural Mental Health Australia provides national leadership in mental health and suicide prevention for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and works to promotr better mental health and well-being for a diverse community.

Reach Out!
An initiative of the Inspire Foundation for young people to help themselves and get involved in their community through difficult times

SANE Australia
A national charity helping people affected by mental illness. SANE Australia Helpline Free call - 1800 18 SANE (7263).

The Australian Governmment Department of Health and Aging

The Mental Health Council of Australia
An independent, non-government sector peak body established under the National Mental Health Strategy to represent and promote the interests of the mental health sector and advise on mental health in Australia.

The World Federal of Mental Health
Founded in 1948 to advance, among all people and nationa, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of thos with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health.

About Lifeline North West NSW

Lifeline North West NSW - Serving the people of North, North West and the New England regions of New South Wales

Lifeline North West NSW is a community based Association which commenced operation on 17th September 1972 known as Lifeline Tamworth.

The Association was created to provide a 24 hour 7 day per week telephone counselling service to the North, Northwest and New England regions of New South Wales.  This has remained the principal objective of the Association to this time.

All telephone counsellors are trained accredited and donate their services to the Association. Without this voluntary participation the service could not be provided.

All activities of the Centre must comply with national standards set by Lifeline Australia especially in the area of telephone counselling.  Substantial training is required of the volunteer counsellors before they are permitted to commence taking calls.

The volunteers must also undertake regular skill updates to maintain their accreditation as counsellors.

In June 2003 a sub-centre was established in Armidale together with a “Lifeline Shop” in the main CBD area.  The Armidale Lifeline shop has been relocated to 82 Rusden Street in 2008.  This centre continues to operate in conjunction with, and as part of, Lifeline North West NSW.

Lifeline North West NSW also has a Shop in Hill Street Tamworth.  The area serviced by Lifeline North West NSW is that area covered by the 0267 telephone area code and comprises a resident population of approximately 180,000 people.

All calls for help from this area on the national 131 114 number are first directed to Lifeline Tamworth and Armidale for the cost of a local call.  Our trained counsellors handle approximately 4,000 calls from this region per annum.  Those calls relate to matters such as suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, child endangerment, grief, and addiction.

As a Public Benevolent Institute the Association established ‘Lifeline Shops” to generate the majority of funds required to support the Telephone Counselling service.  Whilst these shops are under the supervision of an Employee (Retail Operations Manager) they are operated by volunteers without whose support the funds could not be generated.

Lifeline Is Here to Help

Lifeline North West NSW is always looking for ways to improve its service to the people of this region. If you have any feedback, comments, concerns or suggestions let us know.

Allan Caswell CD “Strong Enough”

“Lifeline North West NSW would like to thank local businesses who through sponsoring the CD have offset the majority of production costs.” The CD’s sponsors are Jobs Australia, New England Credit Union, Rice Moore & Gibson Solicitors, Tamworth Conveyancing Services, Provet, Armidale Dumaresq Council, Photo Library, J C Spares, Armidale and Creeklands Veterinary Surgery, Armidale.

Lifeline nationally answers more than 1200 calls a day on our 24 hour phone counselling service 131114. At least 30 of these calls each day are made by people calling us with thoughts of suicide.

All of us at Lifeline are deeply committed to helping people in crisis.  The funds raised from this CD will be used for suicide prevention and education and our telephone counselling service.

Click here to download the order form.

For more details please do not hesitate to contact Lifeline North West NSW on (02) 6765 6172.