Could You Volunteer With Us?
Notts SVS Services has a proud history of recruiting volunteers to help us provide services and support to survivors of sexual violence. In 2016/17 volunteers gave 2405 hours of service either on our helpline or in face to face counselling. We are currently recruiting for Helpline Volunteers and Volunteer Counsellors.
Are you interested in supporting people who have experienced rape or sexual abuse?
Would you like to receive high-quality training around sexual violence and listening skills?
Would you like to work in a friendly and supportive environment?
If you can answer ‘yes’ to the above questions and are female* and are interested in volunteering in the sexual violence sector, we would really like to hear from you.
What is involved?
Both roles are distinct from each other, although some people do choose to volunteer in both areas. In order to start volunteering with us though, you need to complete and submit an application form, attend an interview and also undertake some training with us. Our training gives in-depth information about how to support survivors of sexual violence and is designed to help people with different styles of learning. Subjects covered include things like listening and response skills, coping strategies, rape and the legal system and equality and diversity.
You can find out more about the actual roles and what is involved by downloading the relevant job descriptions.
Support for Volunteers
We are able to support our volunteers in many ways, which includes:
- Payment of travel expenses
- Three additional days’ training per year, which in the past has included training on experiences of LGBT survivors and being LGBT inclusive, the needs of refugee and asylum seekers, awareness raising around ChemSex.
- Monthly group supervision
- A supportive environment in which to gain experience and increase skills.
- All volunteers have access to paid staff supervisors should they need assistance in the course of their work.
What is it like to volunteer with us?
Most of our volunteers really enjoy working with us and gain a lot of experience, which they are often able to take into other roles. Our volunteers have said:
“The knowledge I have gained through training here, talking with others who work here, clients I have worked with, suggestions for reading and online courses and through supervision has been invaluable and I feel enthusiastic about learning more and more. The client work has been a great learning curve and so rewarding, I could never have imagined I would feel so passionate about working in this sector yet it has sparked a real flame in me. (Volunteer Counsellor)
“The work itself is, in equal parts, rewarding and challenging. Hearing a survivor recount their experiences is never easy but at the end of each call we ask if they found telling their story helpful. Nearly always, the answer is ‘yes.’ To know that I am making even the smallest of differences is greatly fulfilling.” (Helpline Volunteer)
Want to find out more?
If you would like to find out more about volunteering for us, including what is involved, you can role descriptions and application packs on our website. Informal enquiries can be directed to Lynsey helpline@nottssvss.org.uk
*Because of the nature of this post, which mainly involves working with women, it is only open to female applicants and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010.
