Volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds but all share attributes and qualities of maturity, dedication and commitment, combined with good communication skills.
The volunteers currently working with the Trust are aged from their late 20s to early 70s. There is a stringent recruitment and training process, which takes 50 hours spread over a two month period.
It's an emotionally demanding role and, although the service offers support rather than counselling, most volunteers have had training in both disciplines.
Volunteers need to be able to support people who are very distressed by traumatic bereavement and life-changing injuries, and the training is designed to help them find out if they will be able to do this.
Those who complete their training are committed to supporting one or two clients at any one time - and clients may need that backing for 15 to 18 months or more. "It's not something you can pick up and put down".
Volunteers receive one to one support themselves and attend regular group meetings. When travel time and support meetings are taken into consideration volunteers need to be able to offer six to eight hours a week to the task.
Are you ready for the challenge... contact us!
Telephone: 01234 843345 or Email: enquiries@rvtrust.co.uk
