Telephone Support Worker

AFFECT support members of our society that have been affected by criminal trauma in some way. These are mostly family members and friends of offenders, who often feel isolated and can lose their support networks through the action of someone else.

We are looking for people to volunteer as Telephone Support Workers. You will be allocated one client to begin with to talk to once per week for up to one hour. You will be given supervision every six weeks but can arrange to talk to your supervisor at any time between these sessions.

Skills

Your main tasks will be supporting lients (via phone), who have a family member in prison. Our volunteers receive supervision on a 6-weekly basis.

You need to be friendly and non-judgmental. Our clients need a safe environment where they can talk about what they are going through because sometimes they don't have anywhere else to turn. We support them in the decisions they make and offer emotional support throughout the process.

Experience of prison and the Criminal Justice System can be helpful but is not essential to the role.

Being a good listener is essential to the role so that our clients feel heard. It may be the only place they can express themselves.