If you are looking for a supportive and new challenge, then this is just the role for you. Self Injury Support has been supporting people affected by self harm, trauma and distress for over 30 years and we are looking for new volunteers to help us continue offering vital support services.

Help us break the stigma around self-harm by creating a warm, safe environment where people are encouraged to speak openly.

Our wonderful team of Support Service Volunteers provide valuable non-judgmental support to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds via our helpline, text, webchat, email and letter-writing services. We’re now looking for people to join our fantastic volunteer team on our Helpline and Text services to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the people who contact us.

Please fill out this interest form and we'll get back to you shortly to arrange an informal chat.

https://tinyurl.com/SISVolunteerInterestForm

Why Volunteer?

• Provide a positive experience to those reaching out for support, recognising that there is power in doing so.
• Be part of a rewarding service offering meaningful support to people of all ages across the UK affected by self-injury.
• Participate in an extensive training programme delivered by staff with a wealth of experience and expertise in self-injury and related issues.
• Develop valuable and transferable skills in active listening and emotional support.
• Receive ongoing training and develop knowledge in self-injury, trauma, mental health, and many more topics.
• Be part of our history as we expand our services to offer vital support to people of all genders for the first time.
• Meet supportive, like-minded peers on shift and at volunteer days.
• Get monthly confidential supervision sessions as part of volunteering with us, ensuring that you're always supported in the work you're doing.

What is it Like Being a Volunteer?

• When you first join our team, you’ll take part in our mandatory training course. You’ll meet new people and learn the valuable skills you’ll take into the work, and beyond! Our training course covers listening skills, self injury, supporting suicidal callers, the impact of trauma and abuse, mental health awareness and reflective practice.
• During your volunteer shifts you’ll either answer calls or texts from people across the UK and offer them confidential emotional support. The work can be challenging but highly rewarding
• You’ll come along to our volunteer day throughout the ear where you have a chance to get additional training, sometimes from external specialists. You’ll also take part in reflective team practice, and socialise with the whole volunteer team.
• We provide you with regular free supervision sessions with one of our service coordinators. Here you’ll have a safe and confidential space to reflect on the work and its impact on you and talk through any issues.

Who Can Volunteer?

• We are looking for people to join our fantastic team who are passionate about creating a safe, judgement-free space where anyone who contacts us can get emotional support with anything that they’re going through.
• We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and life experiences. You may have your own experiences of self injury or mental ill health or be keen to learn more about how to support others through these experiences.
• You don’t need previous helpline or counselling experience – just an open mind, a commitment to the role and a willingness to learn.
• We ask all our volunteers to commit to volunteering to the services for a minimum of 6 months to a year, so that we are able to offer a strong, consistent service for our service users.
• Before you start volunteering with us, we’ll do an Enhanced DBS check.

At the moment we are recruiting for helpline and text service, so ideally you live locally and are able to commute to our office in central Bristol. We’re planning to open remote, home-based services in 2024 so please still apply if you are further away and we’ll be in touch as this is established!

Contact
Jess Puplett/Sian Rance/Molly-Jo Sullivan
volunteering@selfinjurysupport.org.uk
0117 927 9600