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The information below is intended to tell you more about the Lifeline organisation and what is involved in becoming a volunteer telephone counsellor. Lifeline is confident that you will gain more from the training and your time with Lifeline than you contribute. This is a journey that will enrich your life.
WHAT IS LIFELINE?
Lifeline is part of an international network, Lifeline International, and has centres in 19 countries. Lifeline services are provided in more than 60 locations across Australia. Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone counselling service is accessed through a single number 13 11 14. Lifeline Sydney, the first Lifeline centre, was established in 1963. Lifeline Sutherland is more recent and opened in 2003. Both Lifeline Sydney and Lifeline Sutherland are owned and operated by Wesley Mission, a part of the Uniting Church. Lifeline provides 24 hours, 7 day a week telephone counselling.
Within Sydney, Lifeline Centres are also located at Balgowlah (9949 5522), Gordon (9498 8805) and Westmead (9891 6212). Please contact these centres directly if they are more geographically convenient for you.
WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED?
Our Initial Training Course for Telephone Counsellors runs for approximately 17 weeks. The course is run twice a year, starting in February and July. Most training is held on Tuesday evenings from 6.00pm to 9.30pm, though there is some training at weekends.
This training course has been developed and refined over many years and covers a vast range of counselling related topics. A combination of lectures and small group work is designed to teach specific counselling skills and explore the ways telephone counsellors help clients. The training includes role-plays to practice these skills. Role-plays are also used to assess competency and provide feedback.
Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland has a reputation for quality training in skills that can be as useful in everyday life as they are in counselling. As most volunteer telephone counsellors have done, you will also make good friends at Lifeline. Many describe the training as a life-changing experience. Lifeline training may open career opportunities and may improve personal relationships. Below is a comment from someone who recently completed the course:-
“I credit my Lifeline training to have taught me more about practical counselling than 4 years of psychology education at university.”
Read our calendar of training for the content of our next course, starting in July 2008.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
The extensive nature and scope of the course means that we have to charge for the training course. The course fee is $495 (No GST). Please note that this is a subsidised fee which does not cover the full cost of the course. The fee covers:
- 17 week Telephone Counsellor training course
- Training manual
- 2 Day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) course and workbook
We request payment in full by cash or credit card on or before the first night of training. It should be noted that after a cooling off period of two weeks the fee is not refundable, in part or whole. The fee remains payable whether or not the course is completed.
IS THERE AN ASSESSMENT PROCESS?
There is an assessment process as well as feedback provided throughout the course. Once you have successfully completed the training course, including the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) course, Lifeline at its discretion may invite you to become a volunteer telephone counsellor.
On completion of training, supervised shifts and meeting the requirements of a 12 months commitment (see below) volunteer telephone counsellors are awarded a certificate of accreditation.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT ONCE I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO VOLUNTEER?
Our volunteer telephone counsellors perform a regular fortnightly shift of 4 to 5 hours. This amounts to 100 hours a year. Each year, four of the shifts must be overnight shifts which are 6 hours each (2am–8am). Volunteer telephone counsellors must also attend 3 Counsellor Development sessions and 4 Group Supervision sessions per year. Final Accreditation is awarded after one year following commencement of shifts. We have a 24-hour roster and shifts are allocated to suit you. Bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen are available for your comfort.
Volunteer telephone counsellors are expected to adhere to Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland Policy and Procedures and undertake the accreditation and reaccredidation procedures.
WHAT NEXT?
As previously mentioned, no academic qualifications are necessary since all training is provided. There is, however, a selection process and course numbers are limited based on logistics. You need to be at least 21 years, mature, caring and non-judgmental.
You can use the following link to apply, but please check your availability for all training dates before applying for the course.
Upon receiving your application form, we expect you to attend the Information Evening at the start of the course. The date for this is in the course calendar.
Additional Reading
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information, please email Lifeline Sydney.
