Get Started
First of all, thank you for taking the time to find out more about becoming a Helpline Volunteer with Get Connected.
Use the links below to begin the application process and learn about the different stages involved.
Application form
To take the next step, you can fill in our application form online.
If your application is successful, we’ll arrange a convenient time for a short telephone interview with a member of our Helpline Team.
Selection session
The next stage will be to invite you to come to one of our Selection Sessions. These give you a chance to meet some of the other people who are interested in volunteering with us, and to take part in some informal exercises based around the services that we offer to young people. This session helps us assess if you have the right mix of skills and attitudes we're looking for and also allows you to see if Get Connected is right for you.
Training course
When you’ve passed Selection, you will be asked to attend our training course.
This is delivered over five sessions which are held on a mixture of evenings and weekend days. Additional time will also be spent at 'listening in' shifts and seeing the helpline in action.
You will need to be able to attend all of the training and the ‘listening in’ shifts as these will equip you with different skills and information for your volunteer role on the helpline. The dates of the next training programme are available in PDF at the bottom of this page.
We invite about 12 to 16 people into each training group. As part of the training, you will undertake role plays, answering pretend calls and emails, so that you develop your skills and become more familiar with the role. By the time you go ‘live', you will have had all the training you require to feel comfortable helping a young person needing our services.
Induction
For the first few weeks after completing your training, you'll be closely supervised by one of our Shift Leaders. After each shift, you'll have the chance to review how you felt it went and whether you want more support in any particular area.
Your supervisor will also give you feedback on how they felt you dealt with the young people you interacted with during your shift.
When you and your supervisor feel you're ready, you'll be taken off induction and become a fully-fledged Helpline Volunteer. This is usually after approximately ten shifts, but can be quicker or take a little longer depending on the volunteer.
Our commitment to you
From the Selection Session onwards we can reimburse travel costs – up to a certain amount, and contribute towards childcare expenses for people volunteering during the day.
You'll never be asked to undertake a shift on the helpline on your own. We'll continue to support you with regular supervision, access to our peer support groups and the ongoing training programme that includes sessions on topics that the young people who use the helpline regularly present with.
Get Connected staff will always be available to talk about any particularly challenging or difficult calls, emails or webchats you've taken, or anything else which may impact on your role at Get Connected.
Contact us
If you need to, you can email volunteer@getconnected.org.uk or call the office on 0207 009 2500.