Another busy week! Like the last few weeks, I've had just a couple of days actually in the office but have caught up on replying to most of the volunteering enquiries. We've just updated the volunteering pages on our website www.safeatlast.org.uk where a volunteer application form can be downloaded.
My focus over the next couple of weeks will be to recruit to the last few places on the next training for helpline volunteers. This will take place towards the end of April. Recruiting more volunteers to this team will help ensure we keep staffing our helpline aimed at vulernable children at risk through running away. You don't need to have any experience - you might be the person you're friends always come to when they need to offload.
Helpline volunteers tell us they really value being there for children. "Even if its a quiet duty, which can happen, I'm always happy to have given up just a few hours and take comfort in knowing we weren't needed tonight" said one helpline volunteer. Her duty partner added, "we know of course that not all kids know that we are here if they need to call, so we were really happy helping to put a mailout together for the marketing campaign whilst the phone was quiet tonight, sending posters to schools, youth groups, leisures centres etc, so they know we are here".
Children can call the helpline on 0800 335 SAFE, text SAFE+message to 60777 or webchat www.safeatlast.co.uk/chat
If you are interested in volunteering with SAFE@LAST, contact me in the office on 01909 566977, email m.smith@safeatlast.org.uk or see http://www.safeatlast.org.uk/volunteering.1.htm
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Hi Mark
ReplyDeleteI think SAFE@LAST helpline volunteers do such a worthwhile job. I imagine it's quite a daunting thing to do when they first pick up the phone, but when that initial obstacle is overcome I'm sure they realise how important it is for that caller to simply hear their voice.
This might be something that people on Sheffield Forum might be interested in hearing about too.