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Volunteer

Lifeline Ballarat and Uniting Ballarat welcome new volunteers to join our caring, committed team. You can volunteer as a Lifeline Telephone Crisis Supporter or explore other roles with Uniting Vic Tas.

Volunteer - Ballarat

Benefits of volunteering

We have an amazing team of volunteers at Lifeline Ballarat, working on the phones as Crisis Supporters. At our latest volunteer forum, our Crisis Supporters told us that the benefits of their work include.

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Community

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Learning & development

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A supportive team

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High quality training

Hear from our Crisis Supporters

At Lifeline Ballarat we are proud of our high-quality training program and the ongoing learning opportunities and support we provide for our Crisis Supporters.

  • Here is what some of our volunteer Crisis Supporters have told us about what it’s like to volunteer at Lifeline Ballarat:

  • "...Every new call, every shift has given me something extraordinary - I am amazed at the courage and tenacity of help seekers!! Even in the direst, most difficult discussions, there is courage!! I think I have learnt far more than I have given."

     

    Lifeline Ballarat Crisis Supporter

     

  • "I feel really supported to continue as a Crisis Supporter because the team at Lifeline Ballarat take supervision and professional development seriously. There are so many opportunities to develop and learn more."

     

    Lifeline Ballarat Crisis Supporter

     

  • "(It’s a) privilege… to make a difference to someone’s loneliness, or their sadness and pain."

     

    Lifeline Ballarat Crisis Supporter

     

  • "One phone call really can make a difference in someone's life. I hadn't realised how important connection was for people, even if that connection is with a stranger."

     

    Lifeline Ballarat Crisis Supporter

     

  • "At Lifeline, we are surrounded by the most compassionate colleagues and mentors - the appreciation for what we do is so frequently shown!! I think it is a ‘Life’ in itself, doing this work…"

     

    Lifeline Ballarat Crisis Supporter

     

  • "I look forward to each shift so much!"

     

    Lifeline Ballarat Crisis Supporter

     

Upcoming training

There will be four Crisis Supporter intakes for 2026 in January, April, July and September. For more information contact our team.

Session 1

Crisis Supporter Workplace Training

21 October 2025, 1 – 2pm

Online training with Zoom.

Session 2

Crisis Supporter Workplace Training

21 October 2025, 2 – 6pm

Online training with Zoom.

Crisis Support – Dark Purple

Crisis supporter training

Pre-enrolment - Booklet

Pre-enrolment brochure

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Volunteer

Julia's story

Julia's story

In 2022, ABC News profiled long-serving volunteer Julia Nutting, who began with Lifeline in 1999 in Melbourne before moving to Ballarat. Now in her 80s, Julia still learns from new volunteers, saying their fresh perspectives help her grow.

After more than 23 years of service, she holds tightly to one belief: hope. “My favourite word in the English language is hope. There’s always hope, so it’s nice to guide people towards it.”

Read the full ABC News story here

Odette's story

Odette's story

In 2020, the Ballarat Courier interviewed Lifeline Ballarat volunteer Odette Wells, who had been with Lifeline for over five years. Odette said she joined to give back and connect with real people after years in the business world. Lifeline’s training, she explained, helped her recognise her own biases, listen better, and confidently ask someone if they’re suicidal.

She said many people assume you need extraordinary skills to volunteer, but callers simply want to speak with ordinary, compassionate people.

Read the full 2020 Courier interview here

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Other Uniting Vic Tas Programs

Working to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice brings its own rewards. In joining Uniting Vic Tas, you’ll have access to a range of initiatives, opportunities and support.

There are lots of different ways you can get involved across Victoria and Tasmania. In joining Uniting, you will be warmly welcomed into a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace. Click here for more information.

Lifeline Ballaratt: (03) 9051 7471
Uniting Ballarat: 5332 1286

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