Helpline Counsellor

As a volunteer Youthline Counsellor, you will be supporting young people by phone, text and web-chat for a three hour shift, three times per month (minimum).

This is a fantastic opportunity for supporting young people, and fabulous for your own personal and professional development.
Full training and ongoing support is provided.*

Youthline Wairau is supported by Youthline Central South Island.

Requirements:

PERSONAL SKILLS

Must have good listening and engagement skills with young people.
Able to act professionally
Can show warmth, empathy, unconditional positive regard and a non-judgmental attitude.
Be able to refrain from giving your own opinions or suggestions.
Have some life experience.
Cares about NZ Rangatahi

*note: TRAINING
If you're already trained as a counsellor then you can miss our training. You will still be required to go through our mentoring process until you feel comfortable to manage a shift yourself.

Be able to attend a training weekend in Christchurch in February 2025 (we'll pay your petrol, and provide accommodation), plus ongoing training for the next 6 weeks, likely delivered largely online with support from mentors.

Training dates:
Please only apply if you can make all the training dates below and make Youthline a prime commitment of one (3 hour) session each week for at least the next two years. (time off is allowed).

Flexibility in hours is a requirement. After training you are mentored for eight months at times that suit our mentors. If you can do evenings you'll be okay, otherwise need a lot of flexibility.

Once you are passed by your mentors, you can pick your own shifts between 8am and 12 midnight.

Must be able to commit to two years at the Youthline Centre you start at. Shifts are done at the Centre.

Note: references only provided after completing your two years commitment.

2024 Training Outline & Dates

  1. Online counselling course opens Monday 27th January 2025. It is approximately 3.5 hours a week for six weeks.
  2. Noho Marae: 15th and 16th February 2025 (this training hui includes an overnight stay in Christchurch)
    Six evening practice sessions (6:30 to 9pm):

For Wairau, Nelson-Tasman, Timaru and West Coast Volunteers: Online video session on Tuesdays - 18th Feb, 25th Feb, 4th Mar, 11th Mar, 18th Mar & 25th Mar.
For Ōtautahi Volunteers: In-person on Wednesdays - 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 5th Mar, 12th Mar, 19th Mar & 26th Mar

Please be assured that all applications are treated as confidential and only members of our training and selection team will see them.

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:

This is a significant commitment; one 3 hour shift, three time per month, for a minimum of two years.

Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below. We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.

Ref: 1260


Apply for this role:

Address: *

Demographic information:
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Other information (optional):
In applying for this position I confirm that I have read the requirements of the position and believe I have the skills and attributes required to carry out this role safely and effectively.