How Can I Help?
Volunteering
LIFELINE MID COAST conducts
Volunteer Telephone Counsellor Training
in Port Macquarie and Taree annually
For details and application: PHONE 6581 2800
Or, write to PO Box 5030, Port Macquarie 2444
Or, email to admin@lifelinemidcoast.org.au
What a Lifeline Telephone Counsellor does
The role of the telephone counsellor is essentially one person caring for another by telephone. It is not advice giving. The aim is to listen, without telling the caller what they should or should not do - just allowing their hurts and fears to be expressed, heard and understood. This affirms that person's own sense of worth and personal power, and potentially provides them with the courage to make decisions about their own lives.
Telephone counselling skills are taught over 14 weeks through e-learning, face to face training and group work.
This is followed by both observation and practice in the telephone counselling rooms during a minimum of 16 hours with experienced Telephone Counsellors. On successful completion of both stages students will be invited to become a Probationary Telephone Counsellor and complete a minimum of 92 hours on the phones to complete their Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling. This on the job training provides you with an opportunity of giving to your community while gaining a nationally recognised qualification.
You will be encouraged to take full responsibility for your own learning, to identify your strengths and weaknesses as well as “blocks” which may get in the way when counselling.
It will be an exciting and rewarding time of personal growth.
Your Commitment After Training
· 92 hours on the phones per year which includes some overnight shifts
· Ongoing professional development
· Group supervision
What’s in it for me?
· A nationally recognized Certificate IV qualification
· A course valued at $2,500 offered for $490
· Increased career opportunities
· The satisfaction of knowing you are giving back to the community
· Skills for life
· This course has been compared to the SES volunteers and the Surf Life Saving as an elite volunteer service - quality training - quality volunteer service which helps save lives.
To find out more about how you can become a Lifeline Volunteer, contact us at
Centre Phone (02) 6581 2800
Centre Fax (02) 6581 2461
Email admin@lifelinemidcoast.org.au
Volunteering in our Shops
Shop workers carry out many tasks apart from keeping the store looking nice and serving the customers. You might like to help sort clothes, cut rags, help with pick up and delivery of furniture, or carry out minor repairs - there's always lots to be done.
Lifeline Mid Coast welcomes volunteers at all our stores. You might only have a half-day to give, if so please contact one of our store managers, who will be pleased to give you more information.