Your next call could change your life......
Telephone Counselling Course
Next Course begins 1st September 2009 - For details call 08 8941 2365
You can make a difference. Lifeline Top End is seeking volunteers from the local community who are interested in becoming volunteer Telephone Counselors.
As you may be aware, Lifeline Top End provides an invaluable service to Darwin and surrounding communities. Every year Lifeline volunteers help people who need a caring person to speak with. Each year suicides are prevented in our communities due to the dedication and generosity of volunteers, who also deal with may other important issues that trouble people such as depression, loneliness, relationship problems, financial and family issues.
In order to provide this vital service Lifeline Top End is recruiting additional Telephone Counselors and holds regular training courses.
Becoming a Telephone Counselor not only supports those in need, but also offers our volunteers the opportunity to:
- Develop practical counselling skills;
- Enhance personal growth and development;
- Improve communication and relationship skills;
- Enhance self awareness;
- Improve career opportunities;
- Increase ability to support family friends and work colleagues; and
- Belong to the lifeline community
Who are we looking for?
- People from all walks of life interested in becoming volunteer Telephone Counsellors;
- People who can commit to 1 five hour shift per fortnight;
- People who are prepared to undertake the intensive 16 week training program;
- People who have an interest in helping others;
- People with good communication skills and an open mind.
What Does the Training Involve?
- One night a week for sixteen weeks and one weekend; and
- Supervised practical telephone counselling.
The following story illustrates very well the reasons for becoming a volunteer telephone counsellor and its impact.
An old man walked down a Spanish beach at dawn, he saw ahead of him what he thought to be a dancer. The young man was running across the sand, rhythmically bending down to pick up a stranded starfish and throwing it far into the sea.
The old man gazed in wonder as the young soul again and again threw the small starfish from the sand into the water. The old man approached him and asked why he spent so much energy doing what seemed a waste of time. The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun. “But there are thousands of miles of beach, and miles and miles of starfish. How can your effort make any difference?” The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand, and as he threw it to safety in the sea, said, “It makes a difference to this one!”
For more information please contact:
Lifeline Top End on: (08) 8941 2365 or Email: admin@lifelinetopend.org.au