Counselling and other Services for Women
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TRCC supports women to volunteer within the organisation in order to enable it to work more effectively towards the aims and objectives of the charity.
TRCC recognises and values the contribution volunteers make to the work of the organisation and seeks to support the vital role they play.
We believe that volunteering is a worthwhile experience allowing women to share their skills with the organisation and develop other skills during their time at TRCC.
Volunteer roles
Volunteers are supported to contribute to the following areas of TRCC duties:
Raising Awareness of TRCC services and sexual violence issues
Fundraising
Publicity and Promotion
Event Organising
Project Work
Helpline
Office and Admin Duties
TRCC does not offer volunteer opportunities within its face to face counselling services.
Do you offer placements for counselling students?
No. The centre does not recruit volunteers to do face-to-face counselling.
Eligibility
TRCC will consider applications to volunteer from female applicants only: Section 7(2)(e) Sex Discrimination Act.
Volunteers with TRCC must be 18 years or over.
If a woman has accessed support around the issue of sexual violence, either from TRCC or another professional / organisation this should be declared to TRCC Development Worker upon application.
TRCC take a range of criteria into consideration when selecting volunteers, and the period of time since last accessed support for sexual violence is one of these.
If a potential volunteer is an ex user of Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre TRCC’s Development Worker will work with the counselling team to assess the woman’s eligibility on a case by case basis.
How do I become a volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering and want more information please call Dawn, our Development Worker, on 0191 222 0272.
If you get through to the answer machine, leave a brief message with your name and contact number and you will be contacted as soon as possible. Otherwise you can email Dawn.
You will then be invited to come along for an informal chat.
What qualifications do I need?How much time will I have to give?
A commitment of three hours per week, fortnightly or monthly are available to meet volunteers needs as well as the organisations.
What support is offered to volunteers?
TRCC will provide volunteers with access to regular clinical supervision where appropriate to the role undertaken.
TRCC Development Worker will provide ongoing support to all volunteers where relevant to their role within the organisation and ensure all training needs are met.
Regular volunteer meetings will be organised by TRCC Development Worker to enable peer support and encourage volunteers to develop their involvement with the organisation where appropriate.
Will I receive expenses?
Yes. We have a budget for out-of-pocket travel expenses which you will be reimbursed for. Receipts need to be provided.
Recruitment and Training
A waiting list is held of all those who express an interest in and are eligible to engage in voluntary activity with TRCC. Those on the waiting list will be contacted prior to an intake of volunteers for training. Potential volunteers will:
Meet face to face with a member of TRCC staff
Complete and return an application before the required deadline
Supply two satisfactory references
After this process TRCC will then select women to attend the volunteer training.
All TRCC volunteers must participate in and successfully complete TRCC volunteer initial and ongoing training programme as appropriate to the volunteer role undertaken and as negotiated with TRCC Development Worker.
After completion of relevant volunteer training all volunteers must successfully complete an induction period and volunteer posts will be subject to a 6 month probationary period and ongoing monitoring.
Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure
TRCC adopts a policy whereby all Volunteers are subject to enhanced CRB disclosure checks. Checks will take place prior to involvement in TRCC volunteer training and/or volunteer roles.
Subsequent CRB checks will be carried out every three years this is to keep all records and processes up to date and in line with TRCC CRB Policy.
