Volunteer Week 2021
As a retired teacher and social worker, Julia knows the importance of having someone to listen during a time of need.
“Listening to people is an essential skill to have in this role,”
Offer hope to those in crisis.
Become a Lifeline telephone Crisis Supporter and help us provide Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Need help now? In an emergency dial 000 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide.
Lifeline
Lifeline Australia and Uniting.
Uniting Vic.Tas is a trusted delivery partner of Lifeline Australia in Melbourne and Ballarat.
When you volunteer with Uniting, answering the phones as a Lifeline Crisis Supporter, you become part of both the Lifeline and the Uniting communities.
A Lifeline Crisis Supporter is a volunteer phone responder who empowers vulnerable people towards a better future.
What does a Lifeline Crisis Supporter look like?
- Compassionate and empathetic
- With excellent communication and active listening skills
- Able to respond without judgement
- Aged 18 years or older
- Committed to a 12-month training program
- Passed a Criminal Record Check
- Holds a Working with Children/Working with Vulnerable People Check
- Has a desire to make a difference to people in crisis
"For ordinary people, they might have this assumption you need extraordinary skills to be able to be a volunteer. But it is ordinary people callers want to talk to."
How do I become a Lifeline Crisis Supporter?
Helping people in crisis and suicide prevention is an important and challenging job.
We are dedicated to keeping both our Crisis Supporters, and our callers, safe and supported. Our comprehensive training prepares our volunteers to navigate the calls successfully and empathetically whilst making the role valuable and rewarding.
Get in touch
Register your interest in becoming a Lifeline phone responder and we’ll get in touch to discuss.
Information session
We encourage you to attend an info session to explore the detail and the commitment
required, and meet experienced people who can answer your questions. Upcoming session dates and locations can be found here.
Application and interview
Once you decide you are ready to join our team of crisis supporters, you'll need to complete
an application. On meeting the initial criteria, you'll be invited for an interview. Successful
candidates will be accepted to begin training at the next opportunity.
Start your training
Over a twelve-week period you’ll attend a mix of E-learning modules and group sessions.
Practical placement
16 hours of practical experience, completed across 8 weeks. Through a combination of observation and supervised shifts on the phone, you’ll continue to learn. We’ll provide ongoing constructive feedback and you’ll have the opportunity to share experiences and challenges with other students in a group setting.
Internship
56 hours of logged calls completed across the remainder of your first 12 months with us. You’ll have continued supervision with ongoing support whilst you put your learnings into practice and build your experience.
Accreditation and volunteering
You will now have completed the Lifeline Crisis Supporter Workplace Training (CSWT) course
and will officially be an accredited Volunteer Crisis Supporter.
To maintain your accreditation, you will complete 8 hours of logged calls per month and ongoing professional development modules.
"The training provides such a solid foundation for the work we do on the phones. I feel really supported to continue as a Crisis Supporter because the team at Lifeline Uniting take supervision and professional development seriously. There are so many opportunities to develop and learn more."
Accredited Crisis Supporter Training
Accredited Crisis Support Skill Set Training (CHCSS00113) is delivered on behalf of Lifeline Australia RTO 88036, by Uniting Vic.Tas.
Upon completion of the Lifeline Crisis Supporter Workplace Training (CSWT) course, you will obtain a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment in the following Units of Competence:
• CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
• CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
• CHCCCS028 Provide client-centred support to people in crisis.
Our pledge to you
At Uniting, we are committed to ensuring a safe environment for all.
We’ll ensure you are supported throughout your training, and beyond. We recognise both the reward and challenge of this role and have practices in place to keep you safe. Debriefing with experienced crisis supporter workers is a constructive and essential part of the way we operate. Our caring and dynamic team will help you make the impact you seek.
The cost
To become an accredited Lifeline Crisis Supporter requires a financial outlay. This differs according to where the training is delivered. Uniting subsidises the cost of training, however a contribution towards the course is required.
We know this training is an investment for you, both in time and money. We also know that volunteering with Lifeline can change your life.
"...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.”
Upcoming events
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Hear the real story
A listening ear in a time of crisis.
Hear the real story
A reassuring voice for people in need.
We value our Volunteers
Jay is one of the thousands of Lifeline volunteers who provide life-saving support to people in crisis each day.
To have the opportunity to be involved in someone’s life at that pointy end, when they are experiencing crisis, is a privilege,”
