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Opportunity Details

NSPCC Scotland

NSPCC Scotland logo

At NSPCC Scotland we believe that every childhood is worth fighting for. We work to protect children, prevent abuse and...

Childline Volunteer Counsellor

Ongoing

Childline Volunteer Counsellors are on the front line protecting Scotland’s kids from abuse and supporting them through all the issues facing young people today. In return for a commitment of 26 shifts per year, our volunteers receive the most intensive and dedicated training and support available from any charity in the UK. If you’re a good listener (or want to get better) and have a passion for supporting young people, Childline wants to hear from you. No experience required, only enthusiasm.

Childline Glasgow is confident that this is the single best volunteering opportunity available to students. We are looking for dedicated and passionate advocates for children and their safety. In return for your commitment, we provide twelve weekly training sessions and dedicated support with welfare and development throughout your volunteering journey.

Childline offers opportunities for personal growth. You will be supported by a professional counsellor, who helps you manage risky contacts, provides ongoing feedback for your counselling skills, and gives you a space to debrief after tough shifts. You will be trusted with the responsibility of helping real people and given the opportunity to earn SQA counselling accreditation, as well as additional roles in mentoring and interviewing as you grow in experience. From the start of training, you will grow in important skills any employer will look for: communication in high-stakes situations, complex problem-solving in real time, and sticking to commitments over the long term.

If you want to make a real impact with an organisation that values your time and effort, please consider joining Childline.

Contact Name

Oscar Barclay-Binning, Volunteer Engagement Lead (oscar.barclaybinning@nspcc.org.uk)

Benefits to self

Growing in your ability to listen to and support people in distress, to handle high-risk situations with professional support, and to become a confident, well-rounded person. Joining a community of like-minded people working towards the same goal.

Benefits to others

Supporting vulnerable children by providing a safe space to talk through their feelings and problems that they may not have elsewhere in their life. In riskier contacts, you will work with practitioners to safeguard children's welfare and protect them from harm.

Location

Elliot Street, Glasgow

Training available

Childline offers twelve weekly sessions of training, 3.5 hours in length per session. You will learn how to apply our counselling model, start to finish, and will grow in knowledge about issues including self-harm, suicidality in young people, and abuse both online and offline. Once you complete training, you will work with a professional counsellor who support your welfare and ongoing development. Childline also offers ongoing, in-person training sessions on an ad hoc basis.

Hours per week

Four hours every other week

PVG required

Yes

Support and supervision details

You will always be supported by a practitioner who offers guidance and make decisions about safeguarding and when to escalate a contact past listening and support. Every shifts starts with a briefing and ends with a debriefing, where you'll have a chance to share how you felt during your contacts.
  • TypeChildren, Employability, Health and Wellbeing, Mental Health, Social Enterprise / Community Interest Company, Young People, Other

Employability skills

  • Professional 0
  • Personal Development 0

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